POLICE HAVE LAUNCHED a murder investigation following the discovery of a woman’s body in a house fire.

The victim was Jennifer Dornan (30), a mother of three whose body was found in her home at Hazel View after the alarm was raised at 5am in the Lagmore area of Dunmurry, yesterday.

Pictures from the scene showed serious damage to the upstairs of the home. Floral tributes were left outside the house.

Jennifer Dornan had last been seen on Saturday night, when she went on a night out with friends.

Appeal

Detectives from the Serious Crime Branch of the PSNI are now appealing to members of the community who saw Jennifer on Saturday night when she was socialising with friends. or in the early hours of Sunday morning as she walked home. to contact them on 101.

Detective Superintendent Kevin Geddes, from Serious Crime Branch said this evening:

Following the results of a post mortem examination today, Jennifer’s death has been declared a murder.

It goes without saying that her family are devastated, firstly by the news of her death and, within the past few hours, suffering the added heartbreak that this was murder. Jennifer leaves behind three young children, two boys and a girl all under 9. Quite simply, they don’t understand what has happened to their mum.

He explained that Jennifer had been on a night out with friends at the Devenish complex on Finaghy Road North on Saturday night.

“They left at around 1.30am and went back to a friend’s house close to her own home to continue socialising. At 3am she left her friend’s house and walked the short distance home.”

Geddes said he is now appealing to anyone who saw Jennifer in the bar on Saturday night or Sunday morning or who saw her walking in the Hazel View area between 3 and 4am on Sunday morning to come forward.

I also want to hear from anyone who saw other people walking in the area around this time, particularly in Hazel View.

At around this time a small silver car is seen speeding away from Hazel View. This could be completely unconnected but we need the driver or any passengers to come forward.

I would also appeal for anyone with any information about Jennifer or who knows anything about the events of Saturday night and Sunday morning to call us.

The number to phone is the police non-emergency number 101 and ask for detectives.

People who don’t want to leave their details can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.