Carl Lundstrom, known for co-founding and financially supporting the file-sharing site The Pirate Bay, passed away following a plane crash in the mountains of Slovenia. He was 64 years old.

While piloting his Piper Mooney Ovation M20R, Lundstrom was en route from Zagreb, Croatia, to Zurich, Switzerland, when the plane crashed into a wooden cabin on March 10, 2025, in the Velika Planina region of northern Slovenia. Reports indicate he was the only person aboard the aircraft.

“Lundstrom, a legend and veteran of Swedish nationalism, died in a plane crash on Monday,” the far-right Alternative for Sweden party wrote in a Facebook post confirming his death. 

Adverse weather conditions delayed rescue operations, and it was not until Tuesday that rescuers discovered the body and wreckage within the cabin, as reported by AFP. The plane had broken into two pieces upon hitting the wooden structure.

Local media suggested that the crash might have been caused by spatial disorientation due to poor weather. The aircraft reportedly began descending from an altitude of approximately 8,400 feet before the crash.

Lundstrom was renowned for his early contributions to The Pirate Bay, a platform established in 2003 that facilitated users in bypassing copyright fees for sharing music, movies, and other digital content. His company, Rix Telecom, played a crucial role by supplying essential infrastructure, services, and equipment to the site from its inception until 2005.

The Pirate Bay gained rapid popularity, achieving one million unique users by May 2006, the same month Swedish authorities conducted their initial raid on its servers. Despite facing numerous global legal challenges, the site continues to operate in various capacities.

In 2009, Lundstrom faced trial alongside three others for being an “accessory to breaching copyright law.” He was convicted, initially receiving a one-year prison sentence and a fine of around $3 million. After an appeal, his sentence was reduced to four months, but the fine was increased. Lundstrom consistently asserted that his involvement was limited to providing technical infrastructure through his company.

Outside of his technology ventures, Lundstrom was an heir to Wasabröd, a notable Swedish company established by his grandfather, Karl Edvard Lundström, in 1919. Known for its crispbread, Wasabröd became a staple in Swedish households. Under the Lundström family, the company expanded, adding bakeries in Filipstad and exporting internationally. Wasabröd now operates as a subsidiary of Barilla Alimentare S.p.A., an Italian food company that continues to produce the well-known crispbread globally.

Lundstrom was active in Swedish politics, financing the Swedish Progress Party in 1991, which later merged with the Sweden Democrats. In 2018, he joined the Alternative for Sweden party, serving as a district manager, according to Euronews. A journalist referred to Lundstrom as “one of the Swedish opposition’s most significant and fearless veterans,” according to a media outlet.

Lundstrom ran unsuccessfully for the Church Assembly election in 2021 as a member of the Alternative for Sweden party. According to consequence.net, the party supports policies such as the mass deportation of immigrants and imposing restrictions on same-sex marriage and adoption.

Lundstrom’s death concludes a life marked by controversy and influence. His legacy continues to impact discussions on internet freedom, copyright complexities, and digital piracy issues. His role in these areas remains significant despite the legal and political challenges he faced.