Hans Rausing, Swedish billionaire, arrested after wife’s death
The son of one of the world’s wealthiest men, Hans Kristian Rausing, is under arrest in London after the body of his American-born wife was found in their home this week, her death unexplained.
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Police stumbled into the mystery Monday, when they arrested Rausing on drug charges, but during the search of his home, they discovered the body of his wife, Eva Rausing.
Eva Rausing had struggled with drug addiction for years, an acquaintance said.
“This has been an existing problem for a long time,” said Liz Brewer, who knew Rausing through charity and social circles. “I think the whole thing is a complete tragedy.”
She was an American and the daughter of a wealthy Pepsi executive.
She also was a prominent philanthropist, donating hundreds of millions to the U.K.’s drug prevention Mentor Foundation and other groups. The couple have four children
The case puts the multimillionaire couple squarely back in the headlines four years after they were arrested on charges of possessing cocaine and heroin, according to media reports at the time.
Eva Rausing had tried to smuggle a small amount of crack cocaine and heroin into the U.S. Embassy in London, reports said. She and her husband were arrested when police found more drugs at their house.
The pair, however, avoided prosecution. Since then, they have kept a low profile, Forbes magazine said in its annual rich list report this year.
“It’s very clear to us Eva had her own problems with drugs and drugs misuse,” the head of an anti-drug organization told CNN Wednesday.
“She knew prevention was important. She knew how hard it was to get off drugs once you are on drugs,” said Paul Tuohy, chief executive of Mentor.
Her husband is the son of Hans Rausing, who is worth an estimated $10 billion, thanks to the family’s connection to Swedish packaging giant Tetra Laval.
Hans Kristian Rausing is now receiving medical treatment, police said Wednesday.
An autopsy Tuesday failed to determine the cause of Eva Rausing’s death, police said.
