Norwegian police continue seeking digital evidence from Google in one of the country's most baffling criminal mysteries. Seven years after Anne-Elisabeth Hagen vanished from her Lørenskog home, investigators remain determined to solve the case.
Prosecutors confirm they've contacted the tech giant multiple times for information about digital activity on the disappearance day. Officials believe someone involved likely used Google services given the company's market dominance.
Earlier this year, Norwegian authorities contacted United States officials about the case. The investigation into billionaire Tom Hagen has been closed with no charges proven. He was previously suspected of involvement in his wife's disappearance.
One person remains under suspicion in the ongoing investigation. Police have obtained some information from Google, but the company withheld other data citing privacy concerns.
Prosecutors acknowledge international conventions and privacy laws can limit what information they receive. Their investigative needs sometimes conflict with other considerations like user privacy.
Forensic teams continue working at the property where Anne-Elisabeth was last seen. Google states they balance user privacy rights with government information requests worldwide.
The company says they narrow requests that seek too much information and sometimes challenge demands entirely. Google reports they cooperate with Norwegian authorities in most cases, sharing some form of information.
Police confirm the investigation continues, including following cryptocurrency leads. They regularly review case information to determine if new investigative steps are needed.
Investigators will continue as long as relevant steps remain available. Resources are allocated based on current investigative needs and required expertise.
The goal remains discovering what happened to Anne-Elisabeth Hagen. Police emphasize they haven't given up on solving the case.
Anne-Elisabeth disappeared from her Lørenskog home near Oslo on October 31, 2018. Few clues were found besides letters from alleged kidnappers demanding ransom.
Her husband Tom Hagen was arrested in April 2020 but released after about a week in custody. His case was closed over a year ago.
This week, the final suspect in the Lørenskog case was cleared. No one currently faces charges, leaving police without answers.
Though never found, police believe the 68-year-old was killed before being removed from the house. The case represents one of Norway's most prominent unsolved mysteries, testing investigative limits despite extensive resources and international cooperation.
The ongoing Google requests highlight how modern crimes require digital evidence, creating tension between privacy rights and investigative needs.