Tue Apr 08 12:15:46 UTC 2025: ## Eco-Friendly Retreat Owners Flee Sweden, Leaving Behind 158 Barrels of Sewage
**Stockholm, Sweden** – A Danish chef couple, Flemming Hansen and Mette Helbaek, who ran the acclaimed eco-friendly retreat Stedsans in southern Sweden, have vanished, leaving behind a trail of debt and 158 barrels of untreated human waste seeping into a nearby forest. The couple, previously lauded for their luxurious and sustainable resort, fled to Guatemala amid an ongoing tax investigation, according to reports in The Guardian and Danish media.
Stedsans, a collection of 16 wooden houses boasting stunning nature views, garnered significant praise from reviewers and influencers. However, the business declared bankruptcy in March, and the couple allegedly registered as foreign residents before Christmas. Investigations reveal the pair owe millions of kroner to Danish tax authorities, accumulated since their move from Copenhagen in 2016, and an additional 6 million SEK (approximately €470,000) to Swedish authorities.
The abandoned resort isn’t the only issue; staff members report the couple left behind abandoned animals, including ducks which died after being left outside overnight. The sheer volume of untreated sewage poses a significant environmental hazard. Daniel Helsing, head of the county’s construction and environment department, expressed outrage at the discovery, stating, “Voila. Over 150 barrels of human shit.” Authorities are now investigating potential legal and environmental crimes stemming from the couple’s abrupt departure.
Hansen and Helbaek, who have since opened a second hotel in Guatemala, claimed on their website that the relentless bureaucracy and high taxes in Sweden made their eco-conscious mission impossible. They stated their desire to create a “more beautiful planet,” a sentiment that sharply contrasts with the environmental damage they left in their wake. The investigation into their financial and environmental actions is ongoing.
First Piper 