Reykjavik, Iceland — A French tourist in her 60s is in custody after the deaths of her husband and daughter at a hotel while they were vacationing in Iceland. The bodies of the two victims were discovered early Saturday morning at the Edition Hotel, a luxurious establishment in the capital. The woman was found with stab wounds but alive, leading authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Reykjavik police have not disclosed the identities of the deceased or provided specifics on the nature of their injuries beyond stating that both individuals also sustained stab wounds. A police spokesperson indicated that further details would emerge as the investigation progresses.
According to law enforcement officials, a court has remanded the woman in custody until June 20 in connection with the ongoing investigation. In their statements, authorities confirmed that the detained individual was traveling with the deceased at the time of the incident, which occurred just hours before the family was scheduled to depart from Iceland.
Investigators are currently examining the scene, but many aspects of the case remain unclear. Police noted that the investigation is in its initial phases, and updates will follow as they gather more information.
Iceland is typically regarded as one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and rare incidents of violence. The country’s tranquility is reflected in its ranking on the Global Peace Index, where it consistently scores highly. However, there has been an increase in gang-related crimes in recent years, raising concerns among residents and authorities alike.
This tragic case marks a stark contrast to the usual peace found in Iceland and echoes past incidents that have shocked the nation. In 2017, a young woman was found murdered on a beach, which stirred national and international attention, highlighting the rare nature of such events in this idyllic northern country.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus will remain on understanding the circumstances leading up to this shocking incident. Icelandic authorities are working diligently to provide clarity and ensure justice for the victims and their families.