Lapland Santa tour guide murder victim named as Rebecca Johnson

The woman who was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend in Lapland has been named as 26-year-old Rebecca Johnson. The body of Johnson was found by Finnish Police in the village of Kuttanen on 3 December.

Johnson, originally from Fife, Scotland, had been working in Lapland as a tour guide for Santa Safari. Her 36-year-old boyfriend, reported to be a Czech national, has been arrested on suspicion of her murder and is currently in custody.

The suspect was eventually found in the freezing wilderness following a huge manhunt for him in temperatures below (-30C)-22F). He was taken to hospital after suffering from hypothermia.

Johnson's great-aunt Val Laing, from Burntisland, in Fife, described the 26-year-old as a "beautiful girl".

She told The Courier: "I had come home from Edinburgh when her Grandad was on the phone to tell me what had happened. I couldn't take it in at first.

"For her parents and grandparents to lose her just before Christmas is devastating. I'll be there for them, but I don't know how they are going to cope."

A Santa Safari spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that a member of the Santa Safari team was discovered dead on 3 December. We are all in shock from this tragic news and our thoughts go out to her family.

"Our team is working closely with the Finnish Police and relevant authorities to support the investigation that is now underway.

"It goes without saying that we will do everything we can to support the family and our staff at this incredibly difficult time."

A Foreign and Commonwealth Offices spokesperson added: "We are supporting the family of a British national who died in Finland on 3 December."