Man charged with murder after woman dies from injuries

A man in his 30s has been charged with murder after a woman in her 30s died from injuries sustained in a home in Nærbø, Jæren, Dagbladet reports. The suspect denies both guilt and any use of violence.

Police were called to the residence Sunday afternoon after reports of a seriously injured woman. She was taken to hospital but died Monday afternoon. The man was initially charged with attempted murder, but the charge was upgraded to murder following her death.

Prosecutor Fredrik Soma told Dagbladet that injuries on the victim were central to the murder charge, though he declined to elaborate. He confirmed that the investigation remains in its early stages, with forensic work ongoing at the scene. Authorities are also awaiting autopsy results.

“The hypothesis of murder is currently the strongest,” Soma said, adding that police are still exploring other possible causes of death.

The suspect’s defence lawyer, Arvid Sjødin, stated that his client was in shock after learning of the woman’s death. “He is completely broken, crying the whole time,” Sjødin said. The lawyer claimed the woman had fallen down stairs a week prior, suffering head and body injuries, and had been hospitalised before being discharged.

According to Sjødin, the man reported that the woman later became ill, vomiting blood and suffering nosebleeds before he contacted medical personnel. The defence maintains no violence occurred that evening and is awaiting the autopsy report for further clarity.

Police confirmed a relationship between the suspect and the victim but declined to specify its nature. The man is scheduled to appear in Sør-Rogaland District Court on Tuesday for a custody hearing.