UPDATED: Police in Øyer, Oppland County, announced Wednesday that they’d made an arrest in a murder that shocked the local community near the Hafjell ski resort last week. Police continue to search, however, for the main suspect.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) we arrested a person who is suspected of being involved in the murder of Bjarte Hansen in Øyer,” police stated in a press release. The police said the suspect had undergone preliminary questioning and been provided with a defense attorney. Police will also seek to hold the suspect in remand custody.
The body of the 58-year-old Hansen was found last Thursday smoldering in the remains of a fire that had been set near a popular trail leading to the Hafjell resort area. Hansen’s 23-year-old stepson Kim Andreas Kristiansen, who disappeared shortly after the body was discovered, is the prime suspect in the case.
Police said later at a press conference that the suspect now under arrest was a man in his 20s who is “well-acquainted” with Kristiansen. They wouldn’t say exactly where they arrested him, however, nor would they say what role he’s believed to have played in Hansen’s murder. He’s currently being held as an alleged accomplice to the crime, with formal charges due after he’s undergone more questioning.
The arrest was said to be undramatic and police said the young man seemed willing to cooperate with police.
Police remained frustrated in their attempts to track down Kristiansen, who is believed to be unarmed but dangerous. More than 30 police officers are working on the case and an international warrant has been issued for Kristiansen’s arrest. Police have warned the public against contact with Kristiansen, who police suggested was mentally unstable.
They went to the rare step of identifying and releasing photos of Kristiansen on Monday, because of the brutal nature of the crime.
newsinenglish.no staff
