A Danish chef couple, Flemming Hansen and Mette Helbaek, known for running an eco-friendly resort called Stedsans in southern Sweden, have reportedly run away to Guatemala while being investigated by tax authorities.

The couple left behind 158 barrels of human waste and sewage, which are now leaking into the nearby forest, according to The Guardian. Their staff also said some animals, like ducks, died after being left outside at night, and others were simply abandoned when the couple left.

Hansen and Helbaek had started Stedsans in the wild, saying they “felt the call of nature.” Before that, they owned a popular rooftop restaurant in Copenhagen. Their resort, made up of 16 wooden cabins with nature views, was praised online as a peaceful and luxurious getaway.

But in March, Stedsans went bankrupt. The couple had already registered as foreign residents before Christmas. Now, they're being investigated for leaving behind serious financial and environmental problems when they suddenly disappeared.

After leaving Copenhagen in 2016, where they already owed a large amount of money to Danish tax authorities, chef couple Flemming Hansen and Mette Helbaek moved to Sweden and started their eco-resort, Stedsans.

But things didn’t improve. They soon started building up more debt, this time with Swedish tax authorities, reaching 6 million SEK (about €470,000). Despite the financial trouble, the couple managed to open a second hotel in Guatemala.

On their website, Hansen and Helbaek admitted they had tried hard with Stedsans but blamed the system, saying, "being soul-driven entrepreneurs on a mission in a country with some of the highest taxes and endless red tape made it impossible." They added, "By the time you read this, we’ve probably been declared bankrupt by the Swedish tax authorities. All we ever wanted was to help make the world more beautiful."

Meanwhile, authorities are now investigating both legal and environmental issues linked to the couple’s sudden disappearance. Officials have called their actions an “environmental crime.” Daniel Helsing, head of the local environment department, expressed disbelief, saying, “Voila. Over 150 barrels of human waste left behind.”

 

You might also be interested in - Danish traveler achieves remarkable feat: Visits every country without air travel