Louisa (left) and Maren
Two Scandinavian women tourists found dead in Morocco may have been attacked by terrorists, authorities are now
saying.
The bodies of Louisa Jespersen, 24, from Norway, and Maren Ueland, 28, from Denmark, were found near the foot of North Africa’s highest peak, Mount Toubkal, according to the BBC. The area is popular with hikers and climbers from Scandinavia.
Four suspects from nearby Marrakech may have stalked the two young women before attacking them in their tent while they slept.
Initially, detectives investigating the crime believed it may have been sexually motivated because none of the victims’ belongings were missing. But then a video of the attack appeared on social media which bears the hallmark of terrorism, according to Morocco World News.
Louisa traveled to Morocco against her family’s wishes. In an interview with Danish news sources, Jespersen’s mother said that they pleaded with her to avoid Morocco “because of the chaotic situation.”
The U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for Morocco December 13th, four days before the murders, stating: “During the holiday travel season, transnational terrorist organizations and individuals inspired by extremist ideology pose an ongoing threat throughout the region. Extremists may focus on tourist locations such as resorts, public markets, shopping malls, airports, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, schools, and government facilities.”
One suspect was arrested in Marrakesh on suspicion of murder and three others are being sought. Police identified the suspects through surveillance cameras placed in local shops in the village of Imlil, near where they camped.
