Norwegian businessman Tom Hagen has replaced his legal assistance attorney in the ongoing investigation into his wife's disappearance. He switched from Svein Holden to Ståle Kihle, according to official statements. The change means Hagen will now work with a single lawyer for all legal matters.
Svein Holden served as Hagen's attorney since Anne Elisabeth Hagen vanished from their Lørenskog home in 2018. Holden initially acted as legal assistance counsel before becoming Hagen's defense lawyer when authorities charged him in the case. Prosecutors later dropped the charges against Hagen, and Holden resumed his role as legal assistance attorney.
Ståle Kihle brings continuity to the case. He has represented Tom Hagen's children as their legal assistance counsel since their mother disappeared. Kihle confirmed the attorney change stems from the family's desire to coordinate all legal representation through one lawyer.
This development comes amid Norway's most high-profile missing person investigation in recent memory. Anne Elisabeth Hagen's disappearance from an affluent Oslo suburb shocked the nation and generated international attention. The case has involved extensive police resources and multiple investigative twists over six years.
Norwegian legal assistance attorneys provide crucial support in complex cases. They help clients navigate the justice system while protecting their rights. The role becomes particularly important in high-profile investigations where media scrutiny intensifies public pressure.
The attorney change suggests the Hagen family wants streamlined legal coordination as the investigation continues. Consolidating representation under Kihle could improve communication and strategy alignment between family members. This approach might help manage the emotional toll of Norway's prolonged missing person case.
Police have maintained an active investigation despite challenges. They initially treated the disappearance as a potential kidnapping but later shifted focus. The case highlights the difficulties investigators face when evidence remains scarce in missing person investigations.
The Norwegian justice system allows for legal assistance counsel in serious cases where clients need ongoing support. These attorneys work alongside defense lawyers when charges emerge. The system aims to balance investigative needs with individual rights protection.
International observers follow this case for insights into Norway's approach to complex criminal investigations. The country's legal system combines European civil law traditions with unique Nordic practices. High-profile cases often test these systems under intense public scrutiny.
What comes next remains uncertain. The investigation continues without clear resolution six years after Anne Elisabeth Hagen vanished. The attorney change represents another chapter in Norway's most baffling disappearance case.