The Disappearance of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen

Facts, Timeline, Investigation, and Current Status

Overview

The Anne-Elisabeth Hagen case concerns the disappearance of a Norwegian woman from her home in Lørenskog, Norway, on October thirty-first, two thousand eighteen. The case initially involved an alleged kidnapping accompanied by a ransom demand, later reclassified by police as a suspected homicide. Despite extensive investigation, Anne-Elisabeth Hagen has not been found, and no person has been convicted.

Background

Anne-Elisabeth Hagen was married to Norwegian businessman Tom Hagen. The couple lived in Fjellhamar, in Lørenskog municipality, near Oslo. They had been married for several decades and had adult children. Prior to the disappearance, the family maintained a private lifestyle and had limited public exposure.

The Day of the Disappearance

On the morning of October thirty-first, two thousand eighteen, Tom Hagen left the family home to go to work. Anne-Elisabeth Hagen remained at home. Later that day, she could not be reached by phone.

When Tom Hagen returned home in the early afternoon, Anne-Elisabeth Hagen was not present. Inside the residence, a handwritten letter was discovered. The letter suggested that she had been kidnapped and included a demand for ransom, with instructions involving cryptocurrency.

There were no signs of forced entry at the property.

Ransom Letter and Initial Police Response

The ransom letter demanded a large sum of money and referenced cryptocurrency as the method of payment. The letter contained explicit threats warning against contacting the police or making the case public.

Norwegian authorities made the decision to investigate the case in secrecy during the initial phase. For approximately ten weeks, the disappearance was not publicly disclosed. The case was initially treated as a kidnapping due to the content of the letter.

Investigation and Reclassification

Police conducted extensive investigative work, including:

• Forensic examination of the residence

• Digital and telecommunications analysis

• Financial and cryptocurrency-related investigations

• Review of surveillance footage in relevant areas

As the investigation progressed, no confirmed proof of life was obtained. Due to the lack of verification that Anne-Elisabeth Hagen was alive, the case was later reclassified from suspected kidnapping to suspected homicide.

Communication and Ransom Payment

There was limited anonymous communication connected to the ransom instructions. These communications occurred through digital platforms designed to conceal identities.

In two thousand nineteen, a partial ransom payment was made with police involvement. Following this payment, all communication ceased. No proof of life was ever provided, and Anne-Elisabeth Hagen was not located.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

In April two thousand twenty, Tom Hagen was arrested on suspicion of murder or complicity in murder. He denied any involvement. After a period in custody, he was released following a court decision that the threshold for continued detention had not been met.

The investigation continued for several years. Additional suspects were examined during this period. All individuals denied involvement.

In October two thousand twenty-four, Norwegian authorities announced that charges against Tom Hagen were dropped, citing insufficient evidence. Police stated that the investigation itself remained open.

Subsequently, charges against remaining suspects were also dismissed.

Current Status

As of the most recent official updates, Anne-Elisabeth Hagen has not been found. No individual has been convicted in connection with her disappearance. The case remains open, and Norwegian police have stated that they continue to regard it as a serious criminal matter.

Significance of the Case

The Anne-Elisabeth Hagen case is one of the most extensive criminal investigations in modern Norwegian history. The case drew attention due to the alleged use of cryptocurrency, anonymous digital communication, and the prolonged secrecy surrounding the initial investigation.

Despite international attention and years of investigative work, the fate of Anne-Elisabeth Hagen remains unknown.

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