Iceland missing woman found dead: Iceland cops question two men over Birna’s murder
- 7 years ago
REYKJAVIK, ICELAND — A young woman whose disappearance sparked a huge search that gripped Iceland has been found dead.
The body of Birna Brjansdottir, 20, was found on Sunday on a rocky beach some 60 kilometers southwest of Reykjavik, eight days after she went missing, Iceland Magazine reported.
Nearly 800 volunteers joined 700 rescue workers in a massive search for the young woman, which covered 700 kilometers of coastline and road.
Two male fishing trawler crew members from Greenland, aged 25 and 30, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police found 20 kilos of hashish aboard their ship, worth up to $2 million U.S. dollars, according to Iceland Magazine. One of the men is also suspected of being connected to the smuggling operation.
A third crew member was also arrested but was released after questioning. A fourth crew member has been arrested in connection with the drugs found aboard the trawler.
Birna’s DNA matches blood found inside a red Kia car hired by the two men. Police said damage to the car suggests it was taken off-road, possibly near where the body was found. The car was also driven nearly 300 kilometers, which has yet to be explained.
With a population of just 320,000 people, Iceland has averaged only 1.8 murders per year since 2001, according to the Guardian.
The two suspects are being held in solitary confinement. Police have told the men that Birna’s blood was found in the red Kia but haven’t revealed that they’ve found her body.
The police investigation continues.
The body of Birna Brjansdottir, 20, was found on Sunday on a rocky beach some 60 kilometers southwest of Reykjavik, eight days after she went missing, Iceland Magazine reported.
Nearly 800 volunteers joined 700 rescue workers in a massive search for the young woman, which covered 700 kilometers of coastline and road.
Two male fishing trawler crew members from Greenland, aged 25 and 30, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Police found 20 kilos of hashish aboard their ship, worth up to $2 million U.S. dollars, according to Iceland Magazine. One of the men is also suspected of being connected to the smuggling operation.
A third crew member was also arrested but was released after questioning. A fourth crew member has been arrested in connection with the drugs found aboard the trawler.
Birna’s DNA matches blood found inside a red Kia car hired by the two men. Police said damage to the car suggests it was taken off-road, possibly near where the body was found. The car was also driven nearly 300 kilometers, which has yet to be explained.
With a population of just 320,000 people, Iceland has averaged only 1.8 murders per year since 2001, according to the Guardian.
The two suspects are being held in solitary confinement. Police have told the men that Birna’s blood was found in the red Kia but haven’t revealed that they’ve found her body.
The police investigation continues.