Norwegian police investigate doctor over alleged sharing of offensive images of deceased girl

Norwegian police have opened a criminal investigation into doctor Rodgeir Vinsrygg, who is suspected of sharing offensive images of a 16-year-old girl who died in child welfare care. The girl, identified as Shada, was found dead in her room at a private institution near Stavanger in 2019, with police concluding she had taken her own life.

In the aftermath of her death, Vinsrygg became a prominent figure promoting a theory that Shada was sexually exploited and murdered while in the care system. He also represented the girl's parents. However, an investigation by VG in collaboration with Faktisk.no has revealed that several of Vinsrygg's central claims are not supported by evidence.

During his work on the case, Vinsrygg held press conferences and presentations where, according to VG, images from the crime scene and of Shada's deceased body were shared. The police in Møre og Romsdal are now investigating Vinsrygg specifically for the sharing of these offensive images. Police prosecutor Lina Ersvik Pettersen confirmed to VG that a criminal case has been initiated under Section 267a of the penal code but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation. Vinsrygg has not yet been formally charged. VG reported that they were unable to reach Vinsrygg or his former press contact for comment.