Veronica Lystrup, aged 44, has confessed to the murder of Ole Andreas Sønstvedt but claims her actions were a result of self-defense. Her admission comes as her appeal case commenced at the Eidsivating Court of Appeal, where she was previously sentenced to 16 years in prison for the crime. In addition to the murder charge, she acknowledges parts of the allegations regarding the dismemberment and burning of Sønstvedt's body, indicating a complex legal battle ahead.

The police assert that Ole Andreas Sønstvedt was killed on New Year's Eve in 2023, and it took 12 days before he was reported missing. Following the investigation, on January 24, 2024, Lystrup was arrested and charged with murder or complicity to murder, after police discovered burned remains. The case has garnered significant attention, especially as the timeline of the police and Lystrup's actions raise numerous questions about the circumstances surrounding the crime.

As the hearing progresses, Lystrup is expected to provide a further explanation in court, which is anticipated to last between one to two hours. The relatives of the victim are reportedly shaken by her claims and express deep skepticism regarding her credibility, deeming it to be at an all-time low. This ongoing legal saga not only impacts the families involved but also presents important discussions regarding the legal definitions of self-defense in cases of severe violence in Norway.