The death of Marte Gaustad Andreassen (18) has shaken the local community.
She was found dead in her own bed in Søndre Land on Wednesday.
– I love her very much. She has been the world’s best little sister. It will be a great loss, says her half-brother, Tomas Sommerstad Gaustad.
MISSING: Tomas Sommerstad Gaustad (right), says missing his half-sister will be great. Photo: Private
The police believe Andreassen died of an overdose. Two people, a man in his 40s and a woman in her late 30s, have been charged with possession and sale of drugs in connection with the case.
Lost the mother
Her brother says that their mother died of a heart attack three months earlier, which took a heavy toll on both of them.
– She was a wonderful person who cared about everything and everyone, and put everyone before herself, he says.
The day before Andreassen died, she contacted her brother and asked how he was doing. He answered honestly and said he was fine, but a little difficult.
When asked how it went with her, she is said to have replied:
“It is fine. Just let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Gets a little worried.”
After a few messages back and forth, he got no more answers.
– Obviously it wasn’t so nice. She was thoroughly good. She had her whole life ahead of her, which she has been robbed of far too soon, says the brother.
– Don’t do anything stupid
The brother says that the 18-year-old has had a tough time, due to his mother’s passing, but also with his own eating disorders. It probably didn’t take long for an overdose of a substance in the frail body, he believes.
He is not aware of any background with extensive use of heavier drugs. Nevertheless, he has feared that exactly this would happen.
OPEN CHURCH: Landåsbygda church is open to the local community on Thursday evenings. Photo: Olav Wold / TV 2
He says that several times, most recently on Tuesday, he warned her against using drugs if she was in pain.
“I’m not doing anything stupid”, she is said to have written in one of the last messages to her brother.
Attempts will be made to determine the final cause of death through an autopsy. The two accused persons will be questioned during Wednesday, according to police attorney Stina Sophie Onsrud.
She does not want to answer why the two have been arrested, or whether they are already known to the police. TV 2 has not been able to make contact with the accused’s defenders on Wednesday evening.
– Shock and grief
On Thursday evening, Landåsbygda church is open.
– It is so that everyone who is in shock and grief can have a place to come to and be together, says Vivian Nyborg, priest in Søndre Land to TV 2.
LIGHTS A LIGHT: Vivian Nyborg, priest in Søndre Land, says they are there for those who may need more than the community can give them. Photo: Olav Wold / TV 2
According to the priest, many people have come to church during the evening.
– We have tragically become one person poorer. It affects us strongly, says Vivian Nyborg, priest in Søndre Land to TV 2.
