Heartbroken sister of young woman, 22, who’s ‘fourth killed in Northern Ireland in 6 weeks’ pays tearful tribute
THE sister of a young mum found murdered in her own home has vowed: “We will get justice for you my girl.”
Cops discovered the body of woman Mary Ward eight days ago at her home on Melrose Street in the south of the city.
And late on Monday, confirmed that they were investigating a murder.
Mary, who had an eight-month-old son, had been laid to rest earlier in the day.
She is the fourth woman to be killed in Northern Ireland in just six weeks.
A hunt is underway for the killer as the pledged they were “absolutely determined” to solve the murder.
Mary’s heartbroken sister Louise Ward said on social media that the family had never been through “a harder week.”
She said that since Mary was last seen alive, on September 25, loved ones had been dealt “blow after blow”
Louise added: “But Mary we will get justice for you my girl.
“I never did think in a million years I would lose you.”
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After Mary was buried, Louise wrote: “God will punish the ones that destroyed you.”
The PSNI said it has asked the Police Ombudsman to review its handling of the case.
'FOUR FAMILIES SHATTERED'
A statement said: “Whilst at this time there is no suggestion of individual criminality or misconduct, we are nonetheless concerned about our organisational response.”
Det Ch Supt Lindsay Fisher, said: “This is absolutely appalling.
“Four families have been shattered forever by meaningless violence.
“The level of violence and loss in Northern Ireland demands nothing less.
“We are absolutely determined that we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators.”
“I never did think in a million years I would lose you.”
Louise Ward
Family Liaison Officers were today working closely with relatives as the murder probe got underway.
Cops believe Mary was last seen alive on Wednesday, September 25, four days after her final post on Facebook in which she can be seen proudly cuddling her little boy.
In a now poignant message, she wrote at the time: “He loves his mummy xx.”
'SHOCKING LEVEL OF VIOLENCE'
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP said: “This is another awful reminder of the shocking level of violence against women and girls that causes such harm in our society.
“That this is the fourth killing of a woman in just six weeks underscores the failure to get to grips with the causes and prevention of this issue, one that leaves Northern Ireland one of the most dangerous places in Europe to be a woman.”
South Belfast MLA Deirdre Hargey said it was “absolutely devastating” to hear the death of the local woman was now being treated as a murder.
'HORRIFIC PAIN"
In a statement addressed to Mary’s grieving family, Women’s Aid said: “We cannot begin to imagine the horrific pain you are experiencing at the moment.
“But please know our thoughts and hearts are with you all at this incredibly distressing time.
“Mary was only 22-years-old and is the 24th woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020, and the fourth woman to be killed in the last six weeks.”
Mary is the fourth woman to be killed in Northern Ireland in just six weeks.
OTHER DEATHS
On 18 August, 57-year-old Sophie Watson was found dead at her home in Magherafelt.
Andrzej Pajaczkowski, 43, of Ashgrove Park in Magherafelt is before the courts charged with her murder.
On 24 August, Montserrat Martorell, a 65-year-old woman originally from Spain, was found dead in a flat in Derry city after a fire was reported at the property.
Ciaran Murray, 28, of Gortfoyle Place in Derry, is accused of her murder.
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On 13 September, the body of 43-year-old Rachel Simpson was discovered in a garage beside a house in Belfast.
Her son, 21-year-old Nathan Simpson, of Castlereagh Road in Belfast, has been charged with her murder.