Martin Vanger

Martin Vanger is the primary antogonist in Stieg Larsson's novel and later movie ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. ''Vanger is the son of Gottfried Vanger, the brother of Henrik Vanger, the wealthy CEO of Swedish corporation Vanger Industries. Martin, along with his brother, Harriet, was physically and sexually abused by his father, who was himself a rapist and serial killer. Gottfried, also, however, trained Martin in committing rape and murder. Martin followed after his father, committing murders of several women, all of them either Jewish or having biblical names- Vanger was a known anti-Semite. Martin's actions are uncovered by Lisbeth Salander and Mikaal Blomkvist, a journalist working to investigate the disappearance of Henrik Vanger's niece Harriet on his behalf. When Blomkvist comes to investigate Martin's house, Martin forces him into a torture chamber into a cellar and attempts to kill him, however, Vanger is attacked by Lisbeth and forced to flee, and is killed shortly afterwards when his car collides with a propane tank and explodes.