Boyfriend to face murder charge.

Radek Kovac will appear in court to face charges over death of Burntisland woman

A 36-year-old Czech man is expected to be formally charged today with the murder of a Fife tour guide who was allegedly stabbed to death in Lapland.

The body of Rebecca Johnson, from Burntisland, was discovered in the Finnish village of Kuttanen on Saturday, sparking a major manhunt in the surrounding wilderness which ended with her boyfriend, Radek Kovac, being detained by police.

The Lapland Police Department, which is leading the investigation, has filed a murder charge with prosecutors, and Kovac, thought to live in Stirling, is due to face the allegations in court today.

It is understood the delay in court proceedings was caused by Finland’s Independence Day on December 6, which is recognised as a national public holiday.

Tributes have continued to flood in for Rebecca, 26, who had been a member of the Santa Safari team working with Oxford-based tour operator Transun Travel to organise Christmas-themed excursions to Lapland.

The former Balwearie High School pupil had been staying in the region, which is around 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle, during the winter peak season and is said to have been enjoying her new life when tragedy struck.

Rebecca’s heartbroken parents have now travelled to Finland as they search for answers and try to come to terms with their loss, and they are being supported by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokeswoman said: “We are in touch with local authorities following the tragic death of Rebecca Johnson in Finland, and we continue to provide assistance to her family at this difficult time.”

Sources have suggested that Rebecca died after a disturbance at the couple’s accommodation on Saturday, and that her boyfriend fled the scene on a dog sled.

The village of Kuttanen is situated beside the Finnish/Swedish border in hostile Arctic terrain, so authorities from two countries using huskies, snow scooters and a helicopter were drafted in to assist with the ensuing manhunt.

Rebecca’s boyfriend Kovac was subsequently found in the countryside in temperatures of minus 30C, and was taken into custody after hospital treatment.

Rebecca’s friends and former schoolmates back home in Burntisland have been left shell-shocked by the news and have posted their own tributes on social media.

One friend, David Perry, wrote on Facebook: “Doesn’t seem like that long ago I was talking to her.

“Horrible news, thoughts are with her family. I hope if the funeral is back home that it is made public knowledge so that the people that went through school with Becky can pay our respects... such a nice girl.”

Another, Louise McLean, made reference to Rebecca’s sister Victoria, adding: “RIP Becky. Thinking of Vicky and the whole family. x”

Councillor George Kay said he knew Rebecca’s parents and expressed his sympathy with her family.

“My thoughts and prayers are with them,” he added.

And fellow Burntisland councillor Peter George added: “To hear news like that shocks you.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said the force had been contacted by the Foreign and Commonweath Office regarding the death of a British national in Finland and will continue to assist them as required.