Woman arrested in connection with murder of Norwegian student fourteen years ago

A woman in her 60s has been arrested as part of an investigation into the murder of a Norwegian student in Westminster 14 years ago.

Martine Vik Magnussen, 23, was found dead covered in rubble in a basement of a property on Great Portland Street in March 2008.

A post mortem found she had been strangled and raped.

Ms Magnussen and her friends had been celebrating the end of their exams at the Maddox nightclub in Mayfair, when she went missing.

The prime suspect in the investigation is Farouk Abdulhak son of Yemeni billionaire Shaher Abdulhak who lived in the building where her body was found.

He fled the UK hours after her death, travelling first to Egypt and then to Yemen.

Police arrested the woman today at an address in Westminster on suspicion of assisting an offender, in what they say is a ‘significant breakthrough’.

She was taken into custody at a Central London police station.

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, who is leading the investigation, said: “Martine’s family has never given up their fight for justice and in the 14 years since her death they have campaigned tirelessly to keep her in the public consciousness.

“Martine’s family has been informed of this latest development. Though it represents a positive step, there is still much more work for us to do.

DCI Eastwood said that Mr Adbulhak should be aware that the matter will not go away.

He said: “My team and I will continue to seek justice and use all opportunities available to pursue him and bring him back to the UK. 

“His status as a wanted man will remain and we will not cease in our efforts to get justice for Martine’s family. 

“I’m appealing to Farouk Abdulhak directly. Come back to the UK. Come back to face justice. 

“Since Martine’s death, her family has shown true determination, together with my investigation team as we want to provide some closure for Martine’s family.”

Pictured top: Martine Vik Magnussen (image: Met Police)