A man was arrested on Thursday in Norway, suspected of the murder of 35-year-old Miriam Daniela Ayres Cea from Sweden.
During Friday, the police announced that the suspicions against him have been strengthened.
– The investigation into the case has strengthened the grounds for suspicion against the accused. At the moment, we cannot go into detail about what makes the grounds for suspicion stronger, says Vanja Bruvoll from the Norwegian police.
On Tuesday, a woman was found dead outside the pharmacy where she worked in the town of Arendal in Norway. In consultation with the family, the Norwegian police concluded that the dead woman is 35-year-old Miriam Daniela Ayres Cea.
Preparedness in Arendal and in the region was raised by the police and on Thursday a man was arrested on suspicion of the murder. According to Norwegian VG is the suspect, a man in his 60s.
Strengthened suspicions against the arrested
At a press conference on Thursday, the police announced that the investigation would clarify whether the suspicions against the arrested person are strengthened or weakened. On Friday afternoon, the news came that they had been strengthened.
– The investigation into the case has strengthened the grounds for suspicion against the accused. At the moment, we cannot go into detail about what makes the grounds for suspicion stronger, says police prosecutor Vanja Bruvoll.
The arrested man has been remanded in custody and will appear in court at lunchtime on Saturday.
– There the police will request that the arrested person be detained for four weeks with full restrictions, says Vanja Bruvoll.
The police believe that there is nothing in the investigation to indicate that the suspected perpetrator and Miriam had any relationship to each other. According to the Norwegian Dagbladet the arrested man must have previously been convicted of threats and of carrying a knife.
During Friday, the police interrogated the suspect, who did not want to explain himself or take a position on the suspicions.
Lowers preparedness in the region
Earlier this week, the police said that it cannot be ruled out that Miriam was a randomly selected victim. At the same time, the police believe that there may be more suspects in the case.
– We are still investigating the case extensively and cannot rule out that there may be another perpetrator, Vanja Bruvoll said on Thursday.
In the city of Arendal and in the region of Agder, the police strengthened their preparedness after the murder. More police officers would be visible out in the community and civilian police would also be present. That preparedness was lowered during Friday.
– We will still have a more visible presence of uniformed police officers in the center of Arendal throughout the weekend. We believe this creates security in a demanding situation for many, says Acting Chief of Staff Tore Solberg at the police.
Miriam Daniela Ayres Ceas’ relatives have, in consultation with the police, chosen to release her name and picture