DETECTIVES investigating the horrific slaughter of two Scandinavian backpackers in their tent in Morocco believe it was sexually motivated.

It’s thought the three suspects from nearby Marrakech may have stalked Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, from Norway, and Maren Ueland, 28, from Denmark, before attacking them while they slept on Monday.

9 Police at the scene of the double murder of the two students who were camping Credit: AFP or licensors

The women were found in and outside the tent. One had been decapitated, while the other had a serious throat wound.

But police source told Morocco World News the murder investigation has excluded robbery as the motive because none of the victims’ belongings were missing.

Rather, sexual assault may have been the motive for the crime at a spot six miles from the remote mountain village of Imlil, near the foot of Mount Toubkal, north Africa's highest peak.

It has emerged that the suspects were camped 600 metres from Louisa and Maren.

9 Louisa Jespersen, pictured, and her friend Maren Ueland had been camping when they were horribly attacked Credit: Facebook

It is alleged after committing the murders they fled, leaving their tent in which was a forgotten ID of one of the arrested men.

The suspects were also filmed on CCTV moving towards the spot where the women were camping.

They are now being hauled back to the scene of the crime to explain how the killings happened, according to a source.

A source told Morocco World News: “The suspects were camping in the same area that the murder took place.

"Witnesses saw the group at night as they were heading to the camp area.”

9 Maren Ueland had been training to be a tourist guide Credit: Facebook

9 Where the killings happened

9 Police arrive at the scene of the killing Credit: AP:Associated Press

9 The spot where Maren and Louis were found butchered inside their tent Credit: AP:Associated Press

Maren's mum told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that her daughter was a "warm and engaged".

She said: "Her first priority was safety.

"The girls had taken all the precautionary measures before embarking on this trip."

Both were students of "outdoor activities and cultural guidance" at the University of Southeastern Norway.

They had reportedly set up a camp near Imlil which is a popular tourist destination at the foot of the Toubkal peak which is the highest in Africa.

9 Louisa loved the outdoors and wanted to be a professional guide Credit: Facebook

9 Louisa was an outdoor enthusiast who was widely travelled Credit: Facebook

9 Villagers gather on a road in the tourist village of Imlil gather to discuss the murders which are rare in the remote community Credit: AFP or licensors

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Norwegian Foreign Minister press officer Ane Lunde told national broadcaster NRK: "We are aware that a Norwegian citizen is reported dead in Morocco.

“We are now working through our Embassy in Rabat to map the situation and find out what has happened.

"In doing this, we are upholding contact with Moroccan authorities."

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