The accused admitted in court to kicking Sagen hard under the chin and then placing a plastic bag over her head, suffocating her, according to TV2. He stated that the attack stemmed from a disagreement over drug sales, claiming Sagen had stolen money and drugs from him. The 58-year-old was found dead in her home, and police believe she was taped up and subjected to violence before being suffocated.
According to prosecutor Jo Christian Jordet, the three men planned to rob Sagen at her home on February 24, 2025, and she was killed with a plastic bag. The accused left the house after noon the next day, and a police patrol arrived later. The man faces up to 21 years in prison and preventive detention.
The case will be heard in Hedmarken and Østerdal District Court in May. Another man in his 40s is charged with aggravated robbery and denies guilt, facing up to 15 years in prison. A third man is also charged in the case, though details of his plea and charges have not been disclosed.
The exact relationship between the three men remains unclear, and the autopsy report has not been publicly released. Evidence linking the two men who deny guilt to the crime has not been detailed by authorities. The murder has shocked the local community in Hamar, where Sagen was a well-known figure.
Neighbors described her as a kind person who often helped others. The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities are still gathering evidence to determine the full extent of each suspect's involvement. The trial is expected to last several weeks, with multiple witnesses set to testify.
The prosecution will argue that the murder was premeditated and particularly brutal, while the defense is likely to focus on the mental state of the accused. The case has drawn significant media attention in Norway, highlighting issues of drug-related violence and the vulnerability of individuals in such environments.