Murder Suspect Says Victim Took Own Life

A man in police custody under suspicion of having murdered his wife contends she took her own life.

Sources close to Vísir report that the victim died as the result of a cord or rope constricting her windpipe. While the police suspect her husband may have strangled her, he has maintained in a statement to police that she committed suicide.

Preliminary psychological testing of the suspect has shown no signs of mental illness. Neighbours and those close to the couple also reportedly told Vísir that the suspect never showed signs of being violent or unstable.

The Government Agency for Child Protection has placed the couple’s two children in the custody of a friend of theirs. Relatives are expected to come to Iceland from Poland to assist the family, as they reportedly have no relatives in Iceland.

The death took place shortly after midnight on September 28. The two children were in the home at the time of death, but were reportedly asleep when it happened. The suspect will remain in police custody until October 17.