Father of murdered Norwegian socialite pleas for suspect to return to the UK

‘You can’t hide forever’: Father of murdered Norwegian socialite pleas for billionaire tycoon’s fugitive son to return to the UK to face grilling 12 years after his daughter’s body was found

  • Odd Petter Magnussen called on his daughter’s murder suspect to return to UK
  • Martine Vik Magnussen was killed in central London after a night out 
  • She was last seen with Farouk Abdulhak, son of a billionaire sugar magnate
  • By time Miss Vik Magnussen’s remains were found Abdulhak had fled to Yemen 

The father of a murdered Norwegian student has called for the suspected murderer, a billionaire tycoon’s fugitive son, to return to the UK to face questioning. 

Farouk Abdulhak, the son of a billionaire businessman, who is now aged 33, was quickly identified by the investigation team as a suspect for Martine Vik Magnussen’s murder in London 12 years ago. 

Martine’s father, Odd Petter Magnussen, issued a stark warning to Abdulhak. 

Father of Martine Vik Magnussen,  Odd Petter Magnussen. ‘In today’s globalised world, you cannot hide for ever from the oldest and most serious crime known to man – the rape and murder of a woman,’ he said

‘In today’s globalised world, you cannot hide for ever from the oldest and most serious crime known to man – the rape and murder of a woman,’ he said, according to the Mirror. 

‘I appeal to you to return to the UK to assist the police in finding out what happened to Martine.

‘I regard you as a coward unless you take responsibility for your actions.’

Detectives investigating the murder of a Norwegian student killed 12 years ago in London are also renewing their appeals for a suspect to return to the UK. 

Abdulhak fled the UK within hours of Miss Vik Magnussen’s death, travelling to Egypt and then on to Yemen.   

Norwegian socialite, Miss Vik Magnussen

Miss Vik Magnussen was killed in central London after spending the night with friends on 14 March 2008

Norwegian socialite, Miss Vik Magnussen

Norwegian socialite, Miss Vik Magnussen who was 23, was killed in central London after spending the night with friends on 14 March 2008. 

On 16 March 2008, officers making enquiries to trace her visited the residential block where Abdulhak lived on Great Portland Street in Westminster, where they discovered her body at approximately 10:30 p.m. Attempts had been made to conceal her beneath rubble.

She was last seen with Abdulhak – son of billionaire sugar magnate Shaher Abdulhak – as the pair left the Maddox nightclub in Mayfair in the early hours of March 14.     

The pair studied international business relations at the private Regent’s Business School in Regent’s Park.  

She was last seen with Farouk Abdulhak (pictured) – son of billionaire sugar magnate Shaher Abdulhak – as the pair left the Maddox nightclub in Mayfair in the early hours of March 14

She was last seen with Farouk Abdulhak (pictured) – son of billionaire sugar magnate Shaher Abdulhak – as the pair left the Maddox nightclub in Mayfair in the early hours of March 14

By the time 23-year-old Miss Vik Magnussen’s remains were found, Abdulhak had fled to Egypt and on to Yemen.

A post-mortem examination gave her cause of death as compression to the neck. She had also been raped.

Farouk Abdulhak remains the only suspect in the death of Miss Vik Magnussen.  

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge who leads the investigation into Miss Vik Magnussen’s murder said:

‘Over the past 12 years, Martine’s family and my investigation team have kept this case in the public’s thoughts, raising it again and again with each passing anniversary. It must be clear to Farouk Abdulhak, the person sought in connection with Martine’s murder, that this matter is not going to go away and that his status as a wanted man will remain.

‘The dignity, resolve and courage shown by the Magnussen family over the past 12 years has been in stark contrast to the conduct of Abdulhak. He has chosen to flee, chosen to hide, hoping this matter would all go away – the actions of a coward.

CCTV footage dated 14/3/2008 issued by Metropolitan Police of Norwegian student Martine Vik Magnussen and billionaire playboy Farouk Abdulhak leaving Maddox nightclub in Mayfair

CCTV footage dated 14/3/2008 issued by Metropolitan Police of Norwegian student Martine Vik Magnussen and billionaire playboy Farouk Abdulhak leaving Maddox nightclub in Mayfair

‘It must be clear to him now, 12 years later, that the studies he embarked upon in the UK, the plans he was making for his future, can never be realised whilst this matter is unresolved. I would appeal for him to return to the UK to assist this investigation. I appeal for anyone who has contact with Abdulhak to make him see sense and to advise him to return to the UK. He can never have a normal life whilst remaining wanted and in hiding.’

Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0300. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.