Norwegian police have dropped charges against the last remaining suspect in the Anne Elisabeth Hagen disappearance investigation. The 34-year-old man was suspected of involvement in preparations for the crime.
Anne Elisabeth Hagen vanished from her home in Lørenskog, a municipality near Oslo, during autumn 2018. The case has drawn national attention for years.
Prosecutors confirmed they dismissed the charges because no criminal offense could be proven. The man's defense attorney agreed with the decision but questioned why it took so long.
He said the conclusion should have come much earlier in the investigation. Police maintain their inquiry continues despite the dropped charges.
Investigators say they still have relevant investigative steps to complete. The case remains open even without any active suspects.
Earlier this year, police also dropped charges against Hagen's husband Tom Hagen and another man known as the 'crypto man.' This latest development means no one currently faces charges in connection with the disappearance.
The prosecution authority stated the dismissal was based on insufficient evidence to prove any criminal activity. This high-profile case now enters a new phase with all suspects cleared but the mystery unsolved.
Norwegian authorities face increasing pressure to deliver answers in one of the country's most puzzling criminal investigations. The complete lack of charges five years after the disappearance raises serious questions about the investigation's direction.