On Saturday evening, tragedy struck in Grue when a woman in her 40s was discovered dead at a private residence.
Preliminary evidence at the scene and the condition of the deceased have led authorities to suspect foul play, according to the police’s statement to NRK.
As of two days later, a man in his 60s, who stands accused of her murder, remains at large.
Seeking Information
– We have been unable to locate or contact the suspect, prompting police to urge him to turn himself in. We also encourage anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts to reach out, remarked Marit Fiskerud Welo, a police attorney with the Innlandet police district.
– Do you have any idea where he might be?
– We are pursuing several tips but currently lack specific leads, she added, clarifying that there is no evidence to suggest that the suspect has fled abroad.
However, he is classified as internationally wanted, keeping all options on the table as the investigation unfolds.
The police are now investigating the case rigorously.
Photo: Aleksandr Nedbaev / NRK
A Community in Mourning
Bjørn Pettersen, legal aid attorney for the victim’s family, expressed to NRK the profound shock felt by the bereaved, particularly as they received such distressing news during the holiday season.
– They are understandably devastated, anxiously awaiting the police’s investigation for answers to the many questions that linger, he stated.
Lawyer Bjørn Pettersen has been appointed as legal counsel for the survivors.
Photo: Ann-Kristin Mo / NRK
The incident has cast a shadow over the small inland community, prompting many to gather on Monday to light candles and pay tribute to the deceased woman.
– It is absolutely terrible. I hope the police apprehend whoever is responsible. This affects us all, said Linda Nilo, a concerned local.
Reports indicate a history of cohabitation between the accused and the victim.
Linda Nilo is among those who gathered to light candles on Monday.
Photo: Ann-Kristin Mo / NRK
Prior Convictions
Police prosecutor Marit Fiskerud Welo informed NRK that the accused has a history of criminal convictions.
– He has faced previous charges, including those related to violence, she noted.
Welo elaborated that some years ago, the man faced charges that involved physical harm directed at the deceased; however, those charges were ultimately dropped due to insufficient evidence.
It remains unclear if he had ever been convicted of violence against the victim previously.
On Monday, community members laid flowers and lit candles outside the residence where the woman was found.
Photo: Ann-Kristin Mo / NRK
A Familiar Tragedy
The police are diligently working to gather and analyze digital evidence related to the case.
– Several items have been seized in connection with the investigation, though for the sake of its integrity, the police have refrained from disclosing specific details about these seizures, as stated in a press release.
Bjørn Vidar Sæle, the local caretaker, reflected on the tragedy, commenting on his familiarity with both the accused and the deceased.
– I knew them both fairly well; they lived here for six to seven years, and I’ve been the caretaker nearly as long. It’s tragic, he expressed.
– What are your thoughts on the fact that the accused remains at large?
– It’s concerning, but I concur with the police’s assessment that he does not pose a danger to others. I don’t believe that to be the case.
Timeline of Events
Authorities were alerted to the situation on Saturday evening after a welfare check was made at 5 PM due to concerns over the woman’s lack of contact. The circumstances observed at the scene led the police to launch a homicide investigation that night. The hypothesis of the woman’s violent death has since been bolstered by evidence gathered.
– There are definite indicators suggesting that the woman suffered violence, police attorney Ann Katrin Nysveen conveyed on Sunday.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday to help determine both the cause and the time of death.
A Manhunt Underway
The accused, described as a man in his 60s who had an intimate relationship with the victim, is now facing murder charges. Authorities have escalated the search for him, as he is now wanted on an international level.
Existing evidence does not suggest that he is a threat to public safety, according to Nysveen.
Both the victim and the accused are known to law enforcement from prior incidents. However, specific details regarding their past have not been disclosed by the police at this stage of the investigation.
Police presence at the scene continued on Monday, as NRK’s reporter noted.
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