PSNI OFFICERS HAVE launched a murder investigation after the body of a 22-year-old woman was discovered in her Belfast home last week.
Mary Ward was found dead by PSNI officers at her home on Melrose Street, Belfast on Tuesday 1st October.
Following extensive investigations by PSNI detectives in the Serious Crime Branch, a murder investigation has since been launched.
PSNI’s Detective Chief Inspector Foreman, who is leading the Major Investigation Team investigating the murder said specialist trained Family Liaison Officers continue to work with Mary’s family to support them through this difficult period.
“Whilst our investigation is at an early stage and we are working to establish the exact circumstances, we believe that Mary was last seen alive on Wednesday 25September,” said Foreman.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or been in contact with Mary on or around that date.”
He has appealed to anyone with any information, “no matter how small or insignificant a detail may seem”, to make contact with police.
A form can be submitted online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org ”
Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can also be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk
Mary Ward is the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in just six weeks.
Commenting on the murder, Head of Public Protection Branch Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher, said: “This is absolutely appalling. Four families have been shattered forever by meaningless violence.”
She noted that the PSNI recently revised its Tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Action Plan and adopted the new national framework to align its response to this violence with that of terrorism and serious and organised crime.
“The level of violence and loss in Northern Ireland demands nothing less,” said Fisher.
“We are absolutely determined that we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators,” she added.
Meanwhile, the PSNI has referred the case to the Office of the Police Ombudsman following a review of the PSNI’s previous engagement with Mary.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Whilst at this time there is no suggestion of individual criminality or misconduct, we are nonetheless concerned about our organisational response.”
SDLP leader Claire Hanna said an “urgent and focused response is needed to tackle violence against women and girls”.
“This is another awful reminder of the shocking level of violence against women and girls that causes such harm in our society,” said Hanna.
“That this is the fourth murder 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.
“There must be a societal response to violence against women in girls, in our homes, in our workplaces and on our streets. No woman should have to live with the daily threat of violence or have their lives ended in this way.”
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