Couple running eco-resort in Sweden flee leaving behind 158 barrels of human waste

Daniel Helsing, a local official in Hylte, told Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, as quoted by The Guardian, “Voilà. Over 150 barrels of human shit.”

Stedsans, which was made up of 16 wooden cabins in the forest, was once praised by influencers and reviewers as a luxurious escape in nature. The couple, former restaurant owners in Copenhagen, had said they moved to Sweden in 2016 after feeling “the call of the wild”.

But the business ran into serious financial trouble. The couple allegedly owed millions to the Danish tax authorities before moving to Sweden, and then racked up about 6 million SEK (around £470,000) in debt to Swedish tax authorities. Stedsans was declared bankrupt in March.

An investigation by Dagens Nyheter and Politiken found that not only were the barrels of human waste left buried in the ground, but wastewater was also allowed to run directly into the forest. Staff claimed that animals, including ducks, were left out overnight and died, while others were simply abandoned when the couple disappeared.

Hansen, speaking to Dagens Nyheter, called the Swedish tax office a “narcissistic entity” and said he now lives in poverty, believing he owes “over 7 million” SEK.

On their website, the couple defended themselves, writing: “We came very far with Stedsans, but we also had to realise on the way that being soul-driven entrepreneurs on a mission in a country where taxes are some of the highest in the world and bureaucracy is relentless, it is an impossible task.” They added: “All we ever wanted was to be a part of creating a more beautiful planet.”

The Guardian contacted tax authorities in Denmark and Sweden. The Danish agency responded that they could not comment due to confidentiality rules. The Swedish agency did not respond.

Meanwhile, Hansen and Helbæk are reported to have started a new hotel business in Guatemala.