Sarah Montgomery
A vigil will be held in Co Down this evening for mum-of-two Sarah Montgomery.
The 27-year-old – who was around 34 weeks pregnant with a baby boy – was found dead at her home in the Elmfield Walk area of Donaghadee on Saturday afternoon.
Earlier today, Zak Hughes (28), of Ardglen Place, Belfast, appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court charged with Ms Montgomery’s murder and destroying the life of her unborn child.
This evening, the local community will hold a vigil for Ms Montgomery, in collaboration with the North Down & Ards Women’s Aid group.
Beginning at 6.30pm, mourners will gather at the Donaghadee Resource Centre and walk the short distance to Ms Montgomery’s home.
Attendees are encouraged to wear anything with the colour purple.
A spokesperson for the Beechfield Community Well-being Centre, stated: “Sarah is not just a statistic, Sarah was a mummy, a sister, a granddaughter and a friend, she deserves to be remembered in a dignified manner.”
A fundraiser set up in memory of Ms Montgomery has raised over £40,000 as of today.
The organisers said that Ms Montgomery’s wider family had been “left bereft of the care and support” she had provided.
The statement added: “Donations will not ease the pain that this family will have to live with forever but as a close knit community, we are keen to show them that they are so loved and supported at this sad time and in the days, months and years to come.
“Violence against women will not be tolerated in our community. We must stand together to ensure that this will never happens again.”