https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/gallery/27-women-murdered-northern-ireland-31959466?int_source=nba

ByLauren Harte

10:57, 30 JUN 2025

Updated14:40, 30 JUN 2025

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[Image: Sarah Montgomery]

Sarah Montgomery (Image: PSNI)

The death of a pregnant mum-of-two this past weekend brings to 27, the number of women violently killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.

A murder investigation has been launched after Sarah Montgomery, 27, was found dead in Co Down.

Police received a report on Saturday afternoon of an unconscious woman with a serious injury inside a house in the Elmfield Walk area of Donaghadee.

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Sadly Ms Montgomery, who was also pregnant, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody. A 42-year-old woman was also arrested in Belfast on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender.

In a statement on Monday morning following the news of Sarah Montgomery's murder, Women's Aid NI expressed condolences to her family, friends and the wider Donaghadee community.

A spokesperson added: "Please know that you are all in our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time, and we can't even begin to understand your devastating loss. Sarah is the 27th adult woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020, the vast majority of whom were killed in their own homes."

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly were among those expressing shock and sadness at the heartbreaking news from Donaghadee this weekend.

Ms O'Neill said: “A young woman with her whole life ahead of her, taken in the most devastating way. Another family left shattered. Two children left without their mummy.

“Ending violence against women and girls must be a priority for every single person right across our society. We all have a role to play in ending the scourge of misogyny and violence.”

Ms Little Pengelly said: “My heart breaks for Sarah. Just horrifying – another woman murdered. We know the work to tackle violence against women and girls will require a long-term approach, but I am so angry at every single murder and act of violence. It must stop.”

Of the 27 women violently killed in Northern Ireland in recent years, each one was a daughter and the majority of them were mothers.

They were also sisters, aunts, friends and some were also grandmothers. The vast majority of victims were killed by men in their own homes or a man has been charged in connection with their deaths. Each of these 27 women have left behind heartbroken loved ones and devastated local communities

1 Elizabeth Dobbin's body was found at a house in Dromaine Drive in Larne on March 30 2020. A post-mortem examination later revealed the 82-year-old was strangled before being subjected to a "serious blunt force assault" to the back and left side of her head.(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Photopress)1 of 26

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  1. Natasha Melendez[Image: Natasha Melendez old black and white pic of her smiling]Mum-of-four Natasha Melendez was subjected to a serious assault in her home in Lisburn on March 22, 2020. She died from her injuries some 10 days later, with a post mortem showing the 32-year-old died from trauma to her head and neck.2 of 26

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  1. Emma Jane McParlandThe body of Emma Jane McParland, 39, was found with stab wounds at a flat on Haywood Avenue off the Ormeau Road in the early hours of Wednesday, April 22, 2020(Image: PSNI)3 of 26

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  1. Patrycja Wyrebek[Image: Patrycja Wyrebek was a happy, normal young woman with her life ahead of her]Patrycja Wyrebek was just 20 when she was strangled and beaten to death in her Newry home on August 2, 2020.(Image: Belfast Live)4 of 26

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  1. Katie SimpsonShow jumper Katie Simpson, 21, and from Tynan, Co Armagh, died in Altnagelvin hospital almost a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney, on August 3 2020.5 of 26

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  1. Susan BairdBelfast mother-of-four Susan Baird, 60, died as the result of “catastrophic” head injuries in her Windermere Road home on August 16, 2020.(Image: Family handout)6 of 26

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7 & 8. Karen McClean[Image: Karen McClean]Karen McClean, 50, was killed in her Newtownabbey home in March 2021 as part of a double killing. She had been stabbed. The body of her son’s girlfriend Stacey Knell, who was 30, was later found in a house nearby .7 of 26

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  1. Ludmila PoletelovaLatvian woman Ludmila Poletelova, who was aged 61, was murdered in her home in Limavady in April 2021.8 of 26

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  1. Katie Brankin[Image: Katie Brankin]Katie Brankin, 37, was killed at a glamping site in Limavady in July 2021.(Image: Facebook)9 of 26

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  1. Katrina Rainey[Image: Katrina Rainey]Mother-of-six and 53-year old Katrina Rainey died after being trapped inside a car that became engulfed in flames outside her home in Maghera on 12 October 2021.10 of 26

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  1. Caoimhe MorganCaoimhe Morgan's body was found in her north Belfast home in December 2021. Ms Morgan, 30, was beaten to death by her partner.11 of 26

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  1. Alyson NelsonAlyson Nelson, 64, was stabbed seven times at her house in Whitehead in April 2022.(Image: PSNI handout image)12 of 26

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  1. Una Noone,[Image: Cookstown woman Una Noone (77) was found dead in her home on Sunday]Una Noone, 77, died at her home at Rathkeen Avenue, Cookstown, in June 2022.13 of 26

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  1. Hollie ThomsonThe body of Belfast mum-of-one Hollie Thomson was discovered at her home in the Greenan area of Shaw's Road in the city in September 2022. She was 28.(Image: PSNI)14 of 26

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  1. Natalie McNally[Image: Natalie McNally]Natalie McNally, 32, was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed in Lurgan, Co Armagh in December 2022.15 of 26

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  1. Alesia NazarovaAlesia Nazarova, 37 and a mother-of-one, was found dead following a house fire in Church Street in Portadown, Co Armagh, on 21 March 2023.16 of 26

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  1. Chloe Mitchell[Image: Chloe Mitchell]Chloe Mitchell's remains were found eight days after she went missing. The 21-year-old was seen alive on CCTV in Ballymena town centre in the early hours of June 3, 2023 and an extensive search operation was conducted.17 of 26

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  1. Kathryn (Kat) PartonKathryn (Kat) Parton's body was found in the blood-stained bedroom of the house at Madrid Street in east Belfast on May 15 2024. She was 34.(Image: PSNI)18 of 26

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  1. Patricia "Patsy" Aust[Image: Patricia 'Patsy' Aust in floral coat]Patricia "Patsy" Aust, a retired teacher who was 81, was found dead at a house in Hawthorne Court in Bangor on June 2 2024.19 of 26

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  1. Sophie Watson[Image: Ashgrove Park, Magherafelt]Sophie Watson, who was 57, was found dead at a property in Ashgrove Park in Magherafelt in August 2024. She had sustained a number of stab wounds.(Image: PRESS EYE)20 of 26

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  1. Martorell Elias[Image: The scene in Derry after the body of a woman was found in a flat in Harvey Street on Saturday following a fire]The body of 65-year-old Spanish woman Martorell Elias, who police had initially been unable to identify, was discovered in a flat following a fire in Harvey Street in Derry in August 2024.(Image: PressEye/Lorcan Doherty)21 of 26

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  1. Rachel SimpsonThe body of Rachel Simpson, 43, was discovered in a garage along the Castlereagh Road in east Belfast in September 2024, after police had been called to the property.(Image: PSNI)22 of 26

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  1. Mary Ward[Image: 22-year-old Mary Ward]Mary Ward, 22, was found dead at her home on Melrose Street in south Belfast on 1 October 2024 with neck wounds. Her body was found after police officers went to her house, but she was last seen alive on 25 September, according to police.(Image: PSNI)23 of 26

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  1. Karen CummingsChildren's nurse Karen Cummings, 40, was found unconscious with a serious head injury in Laurel Heights in Banbridge, Co Down, on the night of Saturday, December 14 2024. She died at the scene.(Image: PSNI)24 of 26

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  1. Mary Green[Image: Flowers and tributes at a house on the Shore Road, Belfast.]Mary Green – who was known as Marie and aged 71 – was pronounced dead at a house on the Shore Road in north Belfast in June 2025.(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)25 of 26

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  1. Sara0h Montgomery[Image: Sarah Montgomery]Pregnant mum-of-two Sarah Montgomery, 27, was found dead inside a house in the Elmfield Walk area of Donaghadee, Co Down on Saturday, June 28 2025(Image: PSNI)26 of 26

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More On

Women

Northern Ireland

Crime

In The News

Emma Little-Pengelly

Michelle O'Neill

Co Down

Family

Co Derry

by Reasonable_Edge2411

4 comments

  3. Having women friend with young kids—one a girl and a wee boy—I fear for them daily and their safety day to day, all you can do is your best to keep them safe. I hope things will change so that women can feel safe again.

    Article has been fixed with formatting issues.

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