Overview

• Flemming Hansen and Mette Helbæk, founders of the acclaimed eco-retreat Stedsans in Sweden, left the resort bankrupt in March 2025 with debts of 6 million SEK to Swedish tax authorities.
• The couple abandoned the site, leaving behind 158 barrels of human waste and wastewater improperly discharged into the surrounding forest, which local authorities have condemned as an environmental crime.
• Staff and former employees reported that animals at the resort, including ducks, were neglected and left to die following the couple's sudden departure.
• The couple relocated to Guatemala, where they are launching a new hotel venture, despite ongoing investigations and public outrage over their actions in Sweden.
• They have defended their actions online, citing high taxes and bureaucracy in Sweden, while acknowledging mistakes and expressing regret for the fallout of their bankruptcy.