# How did she die, and was anyone else involved? · Isdal Woman > 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… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/isdal-woman/questions/QST0D7Z7GW242GE/how-did-she-die-and-was-anyone-else-involved Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:57:45+00:00 --- **0** # How did she die, and was anyone else involved? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: she took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself** Ahead 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]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z78AM7MZ2/tidslinje-slik-etterforsket-politiet-isdalssaken)⁠[[2]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z77V06X35/the-isdalen-mystery). The autopsy and scene evidence are fixed; their reading is not. ## Answers 3 [**She took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/isdal-woman/answers/ANS0D7Z7KJ049D2/she-took-a-large-dose-of-phenobarbital-and-set-fire-to) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for, 1 against Most likely [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/isdal-woman/answers/ANS0D7Z7N8P249D/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible [**Someone drugged her and set the fire, or forced her to take the pills.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/isdal-woman/answers/ANS0D7Z7MH87DWM/someone-drugged-her-and-set-the-fire-or-forced-her-to-take) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: 2 for Still possible ## History 1. 2016[NRK puts forward: she took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z78AM7MZ2/tidslinje-slik-etterforsket-politiet-isdalssaken) 1. 2016[Hansen et al.: a bruise on her neck from a blow or a fall.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z77V06X35/the-isdalen-mystery)Against: She took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself. 1. 2016[Hansen et al.: phenobarbital in blood and stomach and soot in the lungs; more pills by the body.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z77V06X35/the-isdalen-mystery)For: She took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself. 1. 2016[NRK: the police found no evidence of a second person.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z78AM7MZ2/tidslinje-slik-etterforsket-politiet-isdalssaken)For: She took a large dose of phenobarbital and set fire to herself. 1. 2016[Hansen et al.: the removal of all labels and identity marks suggests planning by her or by others.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z77V06X35/the-isdalen-mystery)For: Someone drugged her and set the fire, or forced her to take the pills. 1. 2018[Aske puts forward: someone drugged her and set the fire, or forced her to take the pills.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z7AGY78DP/kvinnen-i-isdalen-nytt-lys-over-norgeshistoriens-strste) 1. 2018[Higraff & McCarthy: a late account of her walking with two men on the hillside days before.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0D7Z7A947CTM/death-in-ice-valley-podcast-series)For: Someone drugged her and set the fire, or forced her to take the pills. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/isdal-woman/questions/QST0D7Z7GW242GE/how-did-she-die-and-was-anyone-else-involved%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/isdal-woman/questions/QST0D7Z7GW242GE/how-did-she-die-and-was-anyone-else-involved%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/isdal-woman/questions/QST0D7Z7GW242GE/how-did-she-die-and-was-anyone-else-involved%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/isdal-woman/questions/QST0D7Z7GW242GE/how-did-she-die-and-was-anyone-else-involved%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/isdal-woman/questions/QST0D7Z7GW242GE/how-did-she-die-and-was-anyone-else-involved%23add-source) Where it fits Isdal Woman **How did she die, and was anyone else involved?** Key question · you're here [ Ask a question under this one ]