A Danish chef couple who gained international fame with a "forest resort" in Sweden have been tracked down in Guatemala after apparently fleeing tax authorities, leaving behind 158 barrels of human feces.

Flemming Hansen and Mette Helbæk founded the supposedly eco-friendly resort, Stedsans, in Halland, Sweden. Stedsans, which had 16 wooden villas overlooking nature, was highly praised by visitors and tourists, who described it as "magical" and "glamorous luxury."

But a few months ago it was discovered that the couple had disappeared, leaving behind many animals and 158 barrels of human waste, an investigation by the newspapers Dagens Nyheter and Politiken has revealed. It was also discovered that sewage was being dumped into the forest.

Staff said many animals had died as a result of being left outside overnight, while other animals were abandoned after their owners disappeared.

According to the investigation, they left the Danish capital, where they owed the Danish tax authorities millions of kroner, in 2016 to move to Sweden. There they set up Stedsans, but began to have debts to the Swedish tax authorities, which reportedly amounted to over 500,000 euros. They have since started a new hotel business in Guatemala.

In a message posted on their website, it reads: "We came a long way with Stedsans, but we also had to understand along the way that being a soul-driven entrepreneur on a mission in a country where taxes are some of the highest in the world and bureaucracy is relentless, is an impossible task."

They added: "By the time you read this, we've probably been declared bankrupt by the Swedish authorities. All we wanted was to be part of creating a more beautiful planet."

Local authorities describe their actions as "environmental crime".