Wallander was once married, but his wife Mona left him and he has since had a difficult relationship with his rebellious only child, Linda, who barely survived a suicide attempt when she was fifteen.
Wallander oli ühe korra abielus, kuid ta naine Mona jättis ta maha ja tal on sellest ajast peale olnud keeruline suhe oma ainsa tütrega, kes pääses enesetapukatsest napilt eluga, kui oli 15-aastane.