The woman, named locally as Marie Green, was discovered deceased at a property on the Shore Road in the early hours of this morning.

She was aged in her 60s.

A man, understood to be known to the victim and aged in his 30s, has been arrested.

One neighbour described seeing a bare-chested man being bundled into a police vehicle before being driven away.

A PSNI spokesperson said this afternoon: “Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman in a house in the Shore Road area of north Belfast.

“Police, along with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, responded to a report received just before midnight on June 2.

“Sadly, a woman, aged in her 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday June 3.

“A man, aged in his 30s, was arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in police custody at this time.”

As the news spread through the community, people spoke of their shock and sadness.

Half a dozen police officers were gathered at the scene – a terrace house in a row occupied by older residents, overlooking an empty park on the other side of the road.

“I’m just in complete shock,” one neighbour said.

Another said: “It really is shocking, I am just stunned.”

White-clad forensics officers filed in and out of the house as police cordons sealed off the scene.

Some people curiously looked on from the other side of the road, watching as police carried on with their work.

“Shock in the area? I would say there is,” said one local shop worker. “There is probably a rumour mill as well.

“People can’t believe it, just being down the road. You certainly don’t expect it.

“She would have been a regular at the shop. I know that someone has been arrested.”

Police at the scene of a sudden death in the Shore Road area of North Belfast on June 3rd 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Another spoke of fear in the community, with a mix of confusion and sadness.

“Everybody is shocked, there were a lot of police about this morning. There is a bit of fear there as well. We just don’t know what happened yet,” said another.

Another said there was a lot of shock in the area.

“We were woken by blue lights at about 1am this morning,” they said.

“We went down and a police officer said ‘we are dealing with a very serious incident.

“There is a lot of shock in the area.”

They added: “This is a very quiet neighbourhood.

“We heard police shouting at someone, then his bare-chested man was taken away by police at gunpoint.”

Joining in expressing his “shock and sadness” was North Belfast MLA, Phillip Brett.

“There is a massive shock and sadness in the Shore Road community following last night’s tragic incident,” said the DUP member.

“I have spoken with police, and they will be releasing a statement later today. An arrest has been made.

“My thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted.”

As a police cordon remained in place throughout the morning, police said their “enquiries continue”.