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Martine Vik Magnussen |
Millionaire’s missing son key to Martine mystery
Police confirm they believe Norwegian student was strangled
POLICE investigating the murder of Norwegian student Martine Magunussen said they believe she was strangled.
The development comes as police make a fresh appeal to trace her fellow student, 21-year-old Farouk Abdulhak, who has not been seen since Ms Magnussen’s body was found buried under rubble in the basement of a Great Portland Street block where he rented a flat.
Pathology tests show the 23-year-old died as a result of “compression to the neck”.
Mr Abdulhak, a student at Regent’s Business School in Regent’s Park, flew to Cairo on Friday March 14, hours after Ms Magnussen was last seen alive leaving Mayfair’s Maddox Club.
Police believe Mr Abdulhak is at large in Yemen – his country of origin – but they admit his current whereabouts are a mystery. Securing his release will be problematic because Yemen and the UK do not have an extradition treaty.
Ms Magnussen’s father, Odd Petter Magnussen, said: “The night she died she was celebrating end of term with the best results of her class.
“Martine loved life and her family, and with her kind and charismatic personality she brought light into the everyday life of so many. It is hard to get to terms with the fact that she was taken away from us – and in this way.”
Mr Abdulhak’s father is the millionaire businessman Shaher Abdulhak whose Shaher Trading empire includes petroleum, soft drinks, tourism and property.
Detective Chief Inspector Jessica Wadsworth, who is leading the investigation said: “Over the last month the investigation has concentrated on piecing together Martine’s final movements and the circumstance of her murder. We have maintained a very close relationship with Martine’s family in Norway who understandably are finding it hard to come to terms with her loss.”
Police are also searching for a number of items of clothing Ms Magnussen was believed to be wearing in the nightclub.
These include blue skinny jeans, a Guess watch and a Marc Jacobs handbag, which are missing.
Ms Magnussen’s funeral was held yesterday (Thursday) in the Norwegian capital Oslo. |
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