Norwegian police discovered the body of Stian Hole in Malvika on October 16. The location lies approximately 15 kilometers from the Joker store where he was last seen in June 2023.
His brother Morten Hole received the confirmation call from police on Tuesday morning. "You become somewhat perplexed when you get such news, even though it's news you've hoped for and prepared for," he told local media. "The reflexes kick in - you understand what you must do."
That task involved informing family members before police notified the media. He described the moment as feeling like air escaping from a balloon.
"We never gave up hope that we would manage to find Stian," Morten said. "We fought every day, and finally we succeeded."
How Stian ended up dead in Malvika remains unknown. Police consider it likely he was killed.
The 41-year-old traveled from his hometown Bodø to Storjord on Hamarøy in late May 2023. Surveillance footage captured Stian and another person at the local Joker store on June 7. Police records show he purchased flowers among other items.
Neither his mobile phone nor bank card showed activity after that date. His girlfriend arrived by bus from Bodø later that same day but reportedly never met with Stian. She and a friend reported him missing two days later.
Police arrested three individuals in November 2023 - the girlfriend, a man in his 50s, and a man in his 30s. All faced charges of murder or complicity in murder. All three denied involvement.
The man in his 50s was found dead in Bodø in September. Authorities found no evidence of suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. Charges against the remaining suspects remain active.
Massive search operations began immediately after Stian's disappearance. Investigators found his soaking wet clothes in an outbuilding at Tysnes. They also discovered a soda can containing what later tested as his DNA.
Multiple subsequent searches across land and water near the discovery site failed to locate Stian until this week.
The breakthrough came when police received tips about clothing in the area - a sweater, t-shirt, and hiking pants. A police patrol made the final discovery in a larger land area well above the actual bay.
Police conducted new forensic examinations at the site on Wednesday and Thursday. "The clothes found will obviously be subject to closer examination," said police attorney Øyvind Rengård. He declined to comment on other investigative activities at the location.
Authorities now await results from forensic medical examinations to determine cause of death. "It's important for us to do a thorough job - not least out of consideration for the suspects," Rengård stated.
The Hole family made numerous trips to Hamarøy during the search. They reviewed police documents and participated in search efforts. "I'm glad I can know within myself that I did what I could to find Stian," Morten said. "I persisted. And by I, I mean the family."
When asked about living so long in uncertainty, he responded: "It's been difficult. The family has been in crisis for two and a half years."
He praised the cooperation with police but described the disappearance as all-consuming. The grieving process can only begin now. He believes the family will live differently knowing Stian's fate.
"We've gotten answers about where he is, though we lack many answers," Morten noted. "It's quite possible we never get them."
The most pressing question remains what actually happened - whether it was an accident or crime. "I absolutely haven't given up hope of getting an answer to that," he said.
He previously told media he believed his brother was killed. When asked if he still thinks so, he responded: "It can actually swing somewhat, what I believe. One day I believe that, another day I believe something else."
He has consistently kept open the possibility of an accident. "I'm not sure the three suspects had anything to do with Stian's death. It could well be that they're innocent, and there are families on that side too who are having difficulty with them being suspected of murder."
The girlfriend's lawyer expressed relief that Stian was finally found. "It gives hope that those close to him can finally get answers about what happened," she wrote in a text message to media earlier this week. Her client still maintains she doesn't understand the charges against her.
The lawyer for the 30-year-old suspect also conveyed his client's relief. "We assume this will clarify that he wasn't subjected to any criminal act and that it's an explicable death," the attorney said.
He described the past years as "hell" for his client, with serious charges hanging over him and lengthy pretrial detention. "He's from a small place and is branded by local opinion as a murderer," the lawyer stated.
The suspect described his relationship with the deceased 41-year-old as "a three-hour acquaintance."
The case highlights how missing persons investigations can tear apart small communities, with families on all sides suffering while waiting for answers that may never fully come.