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How did she die, and was anyone else involved?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: she took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herselfAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. She took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself. leads, with evidence 2 for, 1 against: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

The police closed the case as probable suicide within weeks; several investigators then and since have doubted it⁠[1]⁠[2]. The autopsy and scene evidence are fixed; their reading is not.

Answers 3

Evidence: 2 for, 1 against
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 2 for
Still possible

History

  1. NRK puts forward: she took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself.
  2. Hansen et al.: a bruise on her neck from a blow or a fall.Against: She took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself.
  3. Hansen et al.: phenobarbital in blood and stomach and soot in the lungs; more pills by the body.For: She took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself.
  4. NRK: the police found no evidence of a second person.For: She took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself.
  5. Hansen et al.: the removal of all labels and identity marks suggests planning by her or by others.For: Someone drugged her and set the fire, or forced her to take the pills.
  6. Aske puts forward: someone drugged her and set the fire, or forced her to take the pills.
  7. Higraff & McCarthy: a late account of her walking with two men on the hillside days before.For: Someone drugged her and set the fire, or forced her to take the pills.
  8. Asked on this site
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