Mari (20) disappeared without a trace – investigation closed

Stavanger Aftenblad reports that Kripos is dropping the case of the disappearance of 20-year-old Marie Sæther Østbø in South Africa.

It's been more than six years since the 20-year-old went missing on the country's beaches. In 2023, a man is suspected of murder, but the case is now closed. According to Aftenbladet, the reason is because the Norwegian police did not communicate with the South African police.

– We believe there is a high probability that Østbø has been the victim of something criminal, Annette Berger, the police prosecutor in Kribos, told Stavanger Aftonblad in January last year.

– He went alone

On the beach where Østbø disappeared, a phone and a pair of shoes were found. He was caught on surveillance cameras and was reportedly spotted a hundred meters away from the hotel where he was staying with several fellow students.

– She left the place and went in the direction of the beach. It was captured on surveillance footage from the hotel's restaurant between 18.00 and 19.00 hours on Wednesday. That was the last we saw of her, and she then walked alone towards the beach, Police Inspector Malcolm Poji of Sedgefield Police told Dagbladet shortly after her disappearance.

The person suspected of murdering Mari

– Sad about the closure

Local police believe Østbø may have drowned. However, the hypothesis of murder was strengthened after Krypos visited Sedgefield and made inquiries.

At the time of Østbø's disappearance, a suspect status was in Sedgefield. Later he engaged in various wage jobs in the area. However, Østbø died in a traffic accident shortly after his disappearance.

– Now my client is upset that the case is being dropped. With no response from the South African police, Kripos seems to be giving up. Krypos is unwilling to use the evidence necessary to clarify what happened to Mary. It's disappointing and incomprehensible, Anne Grogan, the father's assistant lawyer, tells Stavanger Optenblad.