Birna's cause of death was drowning. Body was found naked 5945

The cause of death of Birna Brjánsdóttir, a 20 year old local girl who disappeared early in the morning of January 14, was drowning. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that the initial coroner's report shows that the cause of death was drowning, but that there was also bruising on Birna's neck, indicating that she had been strangled. The final report on the cause of death has not yet been completed, but according to the sources of RÚV the Police believes the findings it already have are conclusive.

Body was found naked  

The Beach by Selvogsviti lighthouse The body of 20 year old local girl, Birna Brjánsdóttir, who disappeared on January 14 was found in the beach near the lighthouse on January 22. Photo/Jóhann K. Jóhansson.

RÚV also reports that the body of Birna was naked when it was found in the beach near Selvogsviti lighthouse on January 22. Birna's shoes were found on January 16, but no other clothing has been found. A large search for items connected to her, her clothing or cell phone, took place over the weekend near the location where she was found. The search failed to turn up anything.

RÚV reports that water in Birna's lungs, but whether this water was freshwater or seawater has not been revealed. Birna was found in the ocean, but Police suspects she was thrown into the water Vogsós estuary 6 km (3.7 mi) west of where she was found. Police investigation has focused on the bridge crossing the short river as a likely site of the crime. 

It is not clear whether the man being held in custody knew Birna was alive when he threw her into the water

The two men arrested on January 18 Thomas Møller Olsen (left) is still being held suspected of murder in the first degree. Nikolaj Olsen (right) was released last week. He is a witness, but is no longer suspected of having been complicit in the murder. Photo/Iceland Insider – Facebook 

Police close to solving the case
Grímur Grímsson, Police Chief Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police in charge of the investigation, has refused to confirm the reports about Birna's cause of death or the circumstances under which her body was found. He told RÚV that the Police has yet to decide when it will make a public statement about these things. One man is in custody, believed to be responsible for the death of Birna. He will not be interrogated today.

Grímur told RÚV that investigators believe they don't feel they need to interrogate the man for the time being, indicating Police already have a rather complete picture of what happened on the fateful Saturday morning.

A second man who was being held on suspicion of being connected to the disappearance and murder of Birna was released last week. Police now believes he was not involved in the murder, and that the other man, who is still being held, acted alone. 

The scene Location of Vogsós estuary on the south coast of Reykjanes Peninsula where Police suspects Birna was thrown into the water and Selvogsviti lighthouse where the body was found. Photo/Loftmyndir

Previous Iceland Insider coverage of the case:

We at Iceland Insider have been covering this horrible case since it first broke. Here is a rundown of our coverage to date. 

Monday Feb 6

Police has reportedly pieced together what happened on Saturday January 14.

Read more: Police believe they know when, where and how Birna was killed: Suspect in custody yet to confess

Search for clues near the place where Birna's body was found turns up empty

Read more: Case of Birna Brjánsdóttir: Hundreds participated in search for clues over the weekend

Thursday Feb 2

Police now believes only one of the men originally arrested on connection to Birna's disappearance is responsible for her death.

Read more: One of two men held in connection to murder of Birna Brjánsdóttir released from custody

Monday Jan 30: 

Thousands participate in a memorial service for Birna

Read more: Video: A large crowd gathered in Reykjavík on Saturday to remember Birna Brjánsdóttir

Wednesday Jan 25:

More details emerge of what happened during the hours leading up to Birna's disappearance

Read more: One of the men suspected of killing Birna made repeated phone calls to an Icelandic friend during the fateful night

Tuesday Jan 24:

Police found Birna's ID on board the Greenlandic trawler.

Read more: Police found murdered girl’s ID on board Greenlandic trawler: Suspects interrogated today

The identity of the two suspects revealed by local media.

Read more: The identity of the two men suspected of murdering 20 year old Birna Brjánsdóttir revealed

Monday Jan 23:

Many unanswered questions despite the discovery of Birna's body 

Read more: Everything we know about the disappearance and death of Birna Brjánsdóttir: Still many unanswered questions

Sunday Jan 22:

Birna's body was found eight days after she was discovered missing.

Read more: Body of missing girl found: All evidence points to murder by two Greenlandic fishermen

Friday Jan 20

More details about the drug find on-board the Greenlandic trawler.

Read more: Forensic search of Greenlandic trawler: 20-40 kg (44-88 lbs) of hash blocks found

Police believes the two men held in custody are responsible for the murder of Birna.

A large scale search had been underway since Saturday for 20 year old local woman. Police feared foul play.

Read more: Young local woman missing since Saturday: Have you seen her?

The cause of death of Birna Brjánsdóttir, a 20 year old local girl who disappeared early in the morning of January 14, was drowning. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that the initial coroner's report shows that the cause of death was drowning, but that there was also bruising on Birna's neck, indicating that she had been strangled. The final report on the cause of death has not yet been completed, but according to the sources of RÚV the Police believes the findings it already have are conclusive.

Body was found naked  

The Beach by Selvogsviti lighthouse The body of 20 year old local girl, Birna Brjánsdóttir, who disappeared on January 14 was found in the beach near the lighthouse on January 22. Photo/Jóhann K. Jóhansson.

RÚV also reports that the body of Birna was naked when it was found in the beach near Selvogsviti lighthouse on January 22. Birna's shoes were found on January 16, but no other clothing has been found. A large search for items connected to her, her clothing or cell phone, took place over the weekend near the location where she was found. The search failed to turn up anything.

RÚV reports that water in Birna's lungs, but whether this water was freshwater or seawater has not been revealed. Birna was found in the ocean, but Police suspects she was thrown into the water Vogsós estuary 6 km (3.7 mi) west of where she was found. Police investigation has focused on the bridge crossing the short river as a likely site of the crime. 

It is not clear whether the man being held in custody knew Birna was alive when he threw her into the water

The two men arrested on January 18 Thomas Møller Olsen (left) is still being held suspected of murder in the first degree. Nikolaj Olsen (right) was released last week. He is a witness, but is no longer suspected of having been complicit in the murder. Photo/Iceland Insider – Facebook 

Police close to solving the case
Grímur Grímsson, Police Chief Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police in charge of the investigation, has refused to confirm the reports about Birna's cause of death or the circumstances under which her body was found. He told RÚV that the Police has yet to decide when it will make a public statement about these things. One man is in custody, believed to be responsible for the death of Birna. He will not be interrogated today.

Grímur told RÚV that investigators believe they don't feel they need to interrogate the man for the time being, indicating Police already have a rather complete picture of what happened on the fateful Saturday morning.

A second man who was being held on suspicion of being connected to the disappearance and murder of Birna was released last week. Police now believes he was not involved in the murder, and that the other man, who is still being held, acted alone. 

The scene Location of Vogsós estuary on the south coast of Reykjanes Peninsula where Police suspects Birna was thrown into the water and Selvogsviti lighthouse where the body was found. Photo/Loftmyndir

Previous Iceland Insider coverage of the case:

We at Iceland Insider have been covering this horrible case since it first broke. Here is a rundown of our coverage to date. 

Monday Feb 6

Police has reportedly pieced together what happened on Saturday January 14.

Read more: Police believe they know when, where and how Birna was killed: Suspect in custody yet to confess

Search for clues near the place where Birna's body was found turns up empty

Read more: Case of Birna Brjánsdóttir: Hundreds participated in search for clues over the weekend

Thursday Feb 2

Police now believes only one of the men originally arrested on connection to Birna's disappearance is responsible for her death.

Read more: One of two men held in connection to murder of Birna Brjánsdóttir released from custody

Monday Jan 30: 

Thousands participate in a memorial service for Birna

Read more: Video: A large crowd gathered in Reykjavík on Saturday to remember Birna Brjánsdóttir

Wednesday Jan 25:

More details emerge of what happened during the hours leading up to Birna's disappearance

Read more: One of the men suspected of killing Birna made repeated phone calls to an Icelandic friend during the fateful night

Tuesday Jan 24:

Police found Birna's ID on board the Greenlandic trawler.

Read more: Police found murdered girl’s ID on board Greenlandic trawler: Suspects interrogated today

The identity of the two suspects revealed by local media.

Read more: The identity of the two men suspected of murdering 20 year old Birna Brjánsdóttir revealed

Monday Jan 23:

Many unanswered questions despite the discovery of Birna's body 

Read more: Everything we know about the disappearance and death of Birna Brjánsdóttir: Still many unanswered questions

Sunday Jan 22:

Birna's body was found eight days after she was discovered missing.

Read more: Body of missing girl found: All evidence points to murder by two Greenlandic fishermen

Friday Jan 20

More details about the drug find on-board the Greenlandic trawler.

Read more: Forensic search of Greenlandic trawler: 20-40 kg (44-88 lbs) of hash blocks found

Police believes the two men held in custody are responsible for the murder of Birna.

A large scale search had been underway since Saturday for 20 year old local woman. Police feared foul play.

Read more: Young local woman missing since Saturday: Have you seen her?