Martine Vik, born on February 6, 1985, came into the world on a cold winter’s day on the small island of Nesoya, Norway. She grew up as the middle child, sandwiched between her older brother, Magnus, and her younger sister, Matilde. The Vik family was well-known on the island, enjoying both local respect and considerable wealth. Martine Vik and her siblings shared a particularly close bond, especially the two girls, who spent hours exploring, playing, and making memories.
From a young age, Martine Vik was a spirited and adventurous child. Summers were filled with swimming off the dock, climbing trees, and building elaborate dollhouses. Winters brought opportunities for making snowmen and reveling in the chilly outdoors. Initially, her big dream was to become a prima ballerina, a goal she pursued with dedication until she realized her true calling might lie elsewhere. She found new joy in handball, where she excelled as a top scorer, but eventually shifted her focus to horseback riding—a passion that stayed with her for life.
Academic Pursuits and Growing Ambitions
After finishing primary school on Nesoya, Martine Vik attended a private high school in Oslo. Her ambition to study medicine drove her to work hard, particularly in subjects where she needed improvement. During this time, she gained hands-on experience by working with elderly patients in a hospital and at a nearby nursing home. In 2016, her perseverance was rewarded with acceptance into the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland.
In Warsaw, Martine’s personality continued to evolve. She was warm, inclusive, and responsible, yet still vibrant and full of humor. Despite her achievements, she discovered that medicine wasn’t her true calling. Embracing a new direction, Martine Vik decided to study international business at the Henley Business School in England.
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A New Chapter in London
In June 2007, Martine moved to a small London apartment with three friends, all fellow Norwegians. Known for her blonde hair, hazel eyes, and slender figure, Martine Vik was naturally popular among her peers. Friends often joked about her charm, claiming that nearly every guy in London seemed smitten with her. Martine thrived in London, immersing herself in both the academic and social life the city offered.
On March 14, 2008, Martine Vik planned a night out with friends to celebrate the end of exams, having achieved top marks in her class. They chose Maddox, an upscale club known for attracting celebrities. Martine danced and enjoyed herself, reluctant to let the night come to an end.
The Last Night
As the evening wore on, her friends decided to head home, but Martine wanted to keep celebrating. She agreed to join Farouk Abdulhak, a friend from university, at another party. Farouk, raised between the U.S. and Egypt, was the son of a Yemeni tycoon nicknamed the “Sugar King.” Known for his privileged upbringing, Farouk had attended prestigious schools across Yemen, the UK, and briefly in the U.S. He was studying international business at the same university as Martine Vik, living in a high-end London apartment.
By the next morning, when Martine Vik hadn’t returned, her roommates grew concerned. She had recently lost her phone, so her friends tried reaching her through social media. They found it strange that Farouk’s last update, posted around 4 AM, stated he was home alone. They grew increasingly worried, distributing flyers and retracing her steps but could find no trace of her.
Martine’s roommates reported her as missing to Scotland Yard on Saturday. Initially, the authorities believed she might reappear soon. However, as her friends pushed for answers, they finally convinced the police to investigate when they discovered that Farouk had deleted his social media account.
At the club, surveillance footage showed Martine Vik leaving the parking lot at 2:59 AM on March 15, arm-in-arm with Farouk. This discovery sparked a deeper investigation, marking the beginning of a complex case that left Nesoya’s beloved Martine at the center of a troubling mystery.
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The Search and Discovery
Two days after Martine Vik’s disappearance, police conducted a search of Farouk Abdulhak’s apartment building in London. In the building’s basement, authorities made a grim discovery—Martine’s partially clothed body, concealed beneath debris. This tragic find prompted an official investigation, with law enforcement quickly expressing an interest in speaking to Farouk, Martine’s fellow student and last known companion. However, police soon learned that Farouk had already left the country, taking a flight to Cairo. It was suspected he had fled to Yemen on his father’s private jet. His family’s lawyer issued a statement declaring Farouk’s innocence, yet his departure raised questions as his family shielded him from extradition.
Martine’s family traveled from Norway to the UK to understand what had happened to their daughter. Upon their arrival, the police prepared her father for the heart-wrenching task of identifying Martine’s body, cautioning him that she showed signs of asphyxiation and possible assault, with evidence of a fierce struggle. The experience left her father with a profound sense of loss, describing a feeling of something irrevocably broken within him.
The preliminary autopsy report confirmed Martine Vik had suffered severe neck injuries and had died from asphyxiation. Her body bore 43 cuts and abrasions, yet the report left some questions unanswered, and the police declined to disclose specific details about the nature of the assault.
Retracing the Events and Gathering Evidence
Investigators meticulously traced items Martine’s friends remembered her wearing on the night of her disappearance, including fitted jeans, snakeskin shoes, and accessories by Marc Jacobs and Christian Dior. Witnesses at the club confirmed seeing her with Farouk, and soon, tabloids branded him a “millionaire playboy.” On April 30, 2008, authorities arrested a man suspected of helping Farouk escape, accused of obstructing justice.
Martine’s friends were quick to defend her character, refuting the media’s portrayal of her as a party girl mingling with the elite. They emphasized her down-to-earth nature and strong work ethic. Despite her family’s financial security, Martine Vik was raised to value independence and shared her apartment with three roommates, splitting expenses.
Several friends recalled unsettling moments between Martine and Farouk. One friend noted his irritation when someone took a photo of him with Martine Vik the night she vanished. Another friend shared that Farouk had once attempted to kiss Martine, which she politely rebuffed. Friends who knew Farouk struggled to reconcile his alleged involvement in the incident, recalling that Martine often stayed at his place for convenience given its central location.
The Quest for Justice Begins
Following the completion of forensic procedures, Martine’s family repatriated her body to Norway for a funeral in her memory. On July 30, 2008, after months of eluding authorities, Farouk was officially named as a suspect by the Metropolitan Police. The charges against him included first-degree murder and sexual assault. His continued evasion of justice led the UK to issue an international arrest warrant, putting Farouk on their most-wanted list and enlisting international assistance.
Martine’s family and friends embarked on an international pursuit for justice. Despite efforts by Norwegian authorities to secure Farouk’s extradition, legal obstacles arose due to Yemen’s lack of an extradition treaty with the UK. In December 2009, public demonstrations erupted in Oslo, with Norwegians marching alongside Martine’s family, holding torch-lit processions, and calling on government officials to push for justice. Support groups and online campaigns further amplified the cause, united in seeking justice for Martine Vik.
Outside Norway’s Parliament, a determined crowd gathered to urge the government to prioritize Martine Vik’s case internationally. Martine’s father took on a leading role, pushing Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to advocate for justice. Frustrated with the lack of progress, he openly criticized the government’s efforts, though the foreign minister assured the public that all diplomatic measures had been exhausted and any new developments would be reported.
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Extradition Request Denied
In December 2008, the UK’s Office of the Prosecutor formally requested Farouk Abdulhak’s extradition to face trial. However, two months later, Yemen officially denied the request, revealing the powerful influence of Farouk’s father, a billionaire and close ally of Yemen’s then-president. Farouk was reportedly living a luxurious lifestyle in Yemen, moving freely and reportedly considering a return to the United States, where he also held citizenship. Martine’s father reached out to the US ambassador to Norway, bringing American authorities into the case to seek accountability for Farouk’s actions.
One year later, between 1,000 and 2,000 people gathered in memory of Martine Vik, urging Norwegian authorities to apply more political pressure for justice. The march drew widespread media coverage, with over 100 news outlets reporting on the event. Shortly afterward, Norway’s foreign minister met with Martine’s support group, who presented a petition signed by 27,000 people. The minister vowed to address Martine’s case in discussions with British, Yemeni, and US officials, though progress remained stalled.
In 2010, Martine’s father took a bold step, writing directly to Queen Elizabeth, seeking support in his quest for justice. The Queen referred the matter to then-Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, as a gesture of solidarity. The British government pledged their commitment and maintained communication with Martine’s family, yet their efforts were repeatedly blocked by Yemeni authorities.
A Shift in Yemen and Renewed Hope
In 2019, Yemen’s political landscape changed dramatically when its president stepped down amid ongoing turmoil. This upheaval sparked hope that Farouk might finally face justice, with even his lawyer suggesting he should return to London for trial. Both the Yemeni government and opposition appeared open to the idea, but Farouk resisted all attempts to bring him to the UK.
On the sixth anniversary of Martine Vik’s death, Scotland Yard disclosed that Farouk had married in his hometown. They issued an unprecedented social media appeal, urging him and his family to remember that he remained an internationally wanted suspect. The head of the Metropolitan Police’s homicide unit reiterated that Martine’s case was still active. However, diplomatic efforts to bring him back to the UK yielded no further results. Then, on March 8, 2022, authorities arrested a second suspect—a woman in her 60s, suspected of aiding Farouk in his escape. Although initially seen as a breakthrough, she was later released on bail, with no additional details made public.
A Confession Emerges Through Social Media
In March 2023, a special investigative report reignited interest in Martine’s case, offering renewed hope to her family. Over the years, hundreds of journalists had attempted to interview Farouk without success. However, a Yemeni woman managed to establish trust with him through social media. Over the course of five months, Farouk engaged in conversations, sharing messages and voice notes with her. He avoided directly addressing Martine Vik or the night of her death, vaguely referring to “a mistake from his youth” that kept him from returning to the UK.
Among the thousands of exchanged messages, Farouk eventually expressed a profound apology, describing the incident as an “unfortunate sexual accident during a game gone wrong.” He expressed regret not only for what had happened but also for fleeing to Yemen without facing the consequences. Farouk claimed his memory of that night was unclear due to his use of cocaine and alcohol, suggesting even he struggled to understand the full events.
With these revelations, Martine Vik’s family and supporters remain steadfast in their quest for justice, hopeful that Farouk’s partial admission could reignite efforts for his extradition. After years of heartbreak and diplomatic obstacles, Martine’s case continues to capture international attention, and her family’s fight for justice presses on.
Listening to Farouk Abdulhak’s words for the first time was agonizing for Martine Vik’s father. This was the voice of the man who had taken his daughter’s life—a moment that reopened deep wounds. Despite Farouk’s attempt to minimize the crime as an accident, his admission marked a turning point. The journalist, refusing to accept Farouk’s dismissive tone, challenged him to return to the UK and account for what had happened, emphasizing that Martine and her family deserved justice and closure.
Scotland Yard Challenges Farouk’s Narrative
Following Farouk’s partial confession, a Scotland Yard spokesperson publicly addressed his claims, stating that Martine’s injuries contradicted his account of an “accident.” Forensic evidence pointed to a violent crime, with compression marks on Martine’s neck indicating asphyxiation, and additional signs of struggle that suggested she had fought back. These details painted a far more harrowing picture of her final moments and underscored the brutality of the act.
Martine’s case captured international attention, sparking a global outpouring of support. Social media groups advocating for justice grew rapidly, with over 150,000 members joining to voice their support for Martine Vik’s family. The relentless call for justice became a powerful movement, shining a spotlight on the case and increasing pressure on authorities.
Farouk’s Isolation Amid Family Exodus
Farouk now lives in isolation, as his family has fled Yemen’s war-torn landscape. His daughter, ex-wife, and extended family members have all relocated to other countries, leaving him behind in Yemen. As of the latest update in November 2024, Farouk has not dared to visit his family abroad, as the risk of arrest looms should he leave Yemen’s borders. Despite his continued evasion of justice, the enduring support for Martine’s family and the collective demand for accountability persist, keeping her case in the international spotlight.
