Norway drops murder case against tycoon in wife's six-year-old disappearance
- Authorities have concluded an extensive investigation into the disappearance of Anne-Elizabeth Falkevik Hagen, last seen in October 2018.
- Tom Hagen was initially arrested in 2020 as a suspect but was released due to lack of evidence, maintaining his innocence throughout.
- The case has now been officially dropped against him, with police confirming no evidence of his involvement, although a wider investigation continues.
In Copenhagen, Denmark, Norwegian authorities announced the decision to drop the case against Tom Hagen, a real estate tycoon, who had been a suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Anne-Elizabeth Falkevik Hagen, almost six years prior. She went missing from their home in Loerenskog on October 31, 2018, with an initial belief that she had been abducted. The investigation saw police gathering substantial evidence, including around 700 interviews and over 6,000 hours of surveillance footage. In April 2020, Tom Hagen was arrested, with police expressing increased suspicion towards him, but he maintained his innocence. A court released him due to insufficient evidence for detention, yet he remained a suspect throughout the ongoing investigation. The case became a significant topic in Norway, which usually has low homicide rates. As the investigation evolved, authorities shifted their focus, contemplating the possibility that Anne-Elizabeth had been killed, noting the absence of communication with potential kidnappers. While the case had not been officially closed, no evidence surfaced implicating Hagen. This conclusion marked a substantial development, showcasing the complexities and challenges faced during the investigation. Tom Hagen's lawyer confirmed that this decision represented a total acquittal. Even though the case against him was dropped, police indicated that three individuals remained unidentified as additional suspects in the ongoing investigation into his wife's disappearance.