Police believe Maren Sømme was murdered

Police investigating the death of Maren Sømme (30) on Jæren now believe she was murdered, Dagbladet reports. Sømme died Monday afternoon after being found seriously injured the day before at a private address in Nærbø.

She was in a relationship with a man in his 30s, who has since been charged with her murder. The man was arrested at the scene and denies criminal responsibility.

In a statement to Dagbladet Tuesday evening, Sømme’s family described her as a caring person and beloved family member with a passion for beauty and fashion. “Unfortunately, she got involved with the wrong man. We are deeply shocked by the brutal way she died and that she did not receive help in time. She will be greatly missed,” the statement read.

The suspect had already been charged with violence against Sømme just over a week before her death, police confirmed to VG. Both parties were questioned in that case, which was still under investigation when the new incident occurred.

The man was previously convicted in 2019 of violence against a different former partner, receiving a sentence of one year and two months in prison. In 2017, he was also accused of aggravated assault in a close relationship with another woman but was acquitted by the court of appeal the following year.

Bistandsadvokat Brage Nordgård, representing Sømme’s family, told Dagbladet the family is in a state of shock. “They see this as a foreseen tragedy, a grotesque case,” he said, adding that the history of the case would emerge during the investigation.

The suspect’s lawyer, Arvid Sjødin, stated that his client denies any violence against Sømme, claiming she fell down the stairs and injured herself a week before being found. He said she later became unwell, though he did not know why.

Police continue to conduct forensic examinations at the scene and are interviewing witnesses. An autopsy on Sømme will also be performed. Politiadvokat Fredrik Martin Soma told Dagbladet Monday evening that while other causes of death are being considered, the murder hypothesis remains the strongest.