Danish TV Series Examines Vanished Citizens in 'As If Sunken Into the Earth'

TV 2's latest documentary series 'Som sunket i jorden'—which translates to 'As If Sunken Into the Earth' or 'Gone Without a Trace'—turns its investigative lens on Denmark's most perplexing disappearances. Hosted by journalist and former police assistant Kristian Bech, the series examines the human stories behind missing persons cases, exploring what drives people to vanish and the families left searching for answers.

The series streams weekly on TV 2 Play, with episodes diving into distinct cases that span decades and circumstances. Each story reveals a different reason for disappearance—some voluntary, others shrouded in mystery.

One case follows Elisa, a woman missing for five years who eventually returned home. The episode focuses on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, which involved a love affair and left her three children in limbo during her absence.

Another features Niels Anker Johnsen, who disappeared in 2021. Before vanishing, Johnsen left a cryptic message claiming he was boarding a plane to leave Denmark. His wife Nette, whom he had been married to for nine years, was left without closure or explanation.

The documentary also examines Constance's case, dating back to the 1980s. She disappeared after an argument with her son Alexander. Years later, when Alexander returned seeking reconciliation, he discovered a stranger living at his mother's residence—a haunting detail that underscores how thoroughly some people can erase their previous lives.

Ulla's story from 1983 raises troubling questions about parental responsibility. She abandoned her 14-year-old daughter Joy at a hotel in Spain during the night and never made contact again, leaving the teenager to navigate the aftermath alone.