Police in Oslo have opened an investigation into the death of a sixth cat, found in the Holmen area of the city, and are asking the public for help. The animal's owner contacted officers after discovering the cat dead on Monday 26 October, according to VG. Police say the injuries may have been inflicted by a person.
The case is being assessed alongside five others already under investigation. Police prosecutor Cecilie Gulnes told VG that the timing and location of the find are close enough to the earlier cases that a connection cannot be ruled out.
Why it matters
The string of deaths has drawn attention in Oslo and neighbouring Bærum, where at least one of the earlier cases occurred. Police say they are treating all six investigations as high priority and are taking seriously the possibility that a person is responsible. VG reports that officers are carrying out both technical and tactical investigative work, and are waiting on final autopsy reports before they can establish causes of death.
What police are asking residents to do
Officers want to hear from anyone who lives in or has visited the area and noticed anything unusual. They are also asking people who hold photographs or video surveillance footage covering the period from Sunday 25 October to Monday 26 October to get in touch.
Gulnes said the investigation is continuing at high intensity and that police still want tips relating to the other five cases as well.
Earlier cases and the wider picture
VG has previously reported on a cat named Suzie, which went missing in Bærum in August and was later found cut apart. The dates on which the other cats were last seen are based on what their owners believe was their final sighting, according to the police material cited by VG.
Coverage of the deaths has extended beyond the capital. Aftenposten reported a further find of a dismembered cat in western Oslo, Nettavisen reported that police were investigating six cases, and Budstikka described the deaths as a mystery unsettling Bærum and western Oslo. Agder Press reported that five cats had been found cut apart.
The exact circumstances of each case, including how the animals died, have not been publicly established. Police have pointed to the pending autopsy results as the step that may clarify causes of death.
What to watch
The release of the final autopsy reports, and whether police formally link the Holmen case to the others, are the next developments to follow. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the police.
