A 35-year-old man faces murder charges for the death of 20-year-old Linea Bjørnnes in Trondheim. The victim was declared dead at St. Olavs Hospital on December 18 last year after being found unconscious in her home the previous day.
The accused man will present his testimony in Trøndelag District Court on Monday. His defense attorney previously indicated the man feels responsible for Linea's death but hasn't formally responded to the charges.
According to the prosecution, Linea died from brain oxygen deprivation. The defendant allegedly suffocated her using a scarf and toilet paper.
Prosecutor Kaia Strandjord described the incident in court. "Her airways were blocked and she lost consciousness," Strandjord said. "Approximately ten hours later, Bjørnnes died at the hospital from lack of oxygen to the brain."
The prosecution emphasized that criminal responsibility remains central to the case. The court must observe the defendant's mental state and determine if drugs or illness affected his actions.
Linea's parents and sisters attended the court proceedings, which continue through Friday.
Court records reveal the defendant had multiple restraining orders against contacting Linea. Police imposed the most recent order in December 2023, lasting until February 17 last year.
Hours before Linea was found unconscious, police responded to a domestic incident involving the couple. A caller reported a man being violent toward a woman identified as Linea.
Bank staff let the woman inside while police removed the suspect from the premises. Officers ordered him to stay away from Linea Bjørnnes and transported him to Yrkesvegen in Stjørdal.
Police had also visited Linea's address the previous day on December 16. She requested the suspect leave her residence, leading officers to separate the parties and escort the man away.
Norway's Special Unit for Police Investigation is reviewing how authorities handled the case prior to the fatal incident. The repeated police interventions suggest warning signs were present before the tragedy unfolded.