The sister of a young mother found murdered in her own home has vowed: “We will seek justice for you, my girl.”
Officers discovered the body of Belfast woman Mary Ward eight days ago at her home on Melrose Street in the south of the city.
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Mary Ward, 22, was found dead at her home in south Belfast last weekCredit: PSNI/PA Wire
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Police confirmed last night that they were opening a murder investigationCredit: Alamy
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Mary is the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland within six weeksCredit: Pacemaker
And late Monday, police confirmed they were investigating the murder.
Mary, who had an eight-month-old son, was laid to rest earlier that day.
She is the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in just six weeks.
A manhunt is underway for the killer as the PSNI vow they are “absolutely determined” to solve the murder.
Mary’s heartbroken sister Louise Ward said on social media that the family had never been through a “harder week”.
She said when Mary was last seen alive on September 25, her loved ones were dealt “blow after blow”
Louise added: “But Mary, we will get justice for you, my girl.
“I never thought I’d lose you in a million years.”
After Maria was buried, Louise wrote: “God will punish those who destroyed you.”
The PSNI said it had asked the police ombudsman to review its handling of the case.
‘FOUR FAMILIES DISSOLVED’
The statement said: “While there is no indication of individual criminality or misconduct at this time, we remain concerned about our organizational response.”
Det Ch Supt Lindsay Fisher said: “This is absolutely appalling.
“Four families were destroyed forever by senseless violence.
“The level of violence and loss in Northern Ireland demands nothing less.
“We are absolutely determined to be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators.”
“I never thought I’d lose you in a million years.”
Louise Ward Mary’s sister
Family Liaison Officers were working closely with relatives today while the murder investigation was ongoing.
Officers believe Mary was last seen alive on Wednesday, September 25, four days after her last Facebook post in which she can be seen proudly cuddling her baby boy.
In a now touching message, she wrote at the time: “He loves his mom xx.”
‘SHOCKING LEVEL OF VIOLENCE’
SDLP leader Claire Hanna MP said: “This is another horrific reminder of the shocking level of violence against women and girls that is causing such damage in our society.
“That this is the fourth murder of a woman in just six weeks highlights the failure to tackle the causes and prevention of this problem, which makes Northern Ireland one of the most dangerous places in Europe for women.”
South Belfast Sinn Fein MP Deirdre Hargey said it was “absolutely devastating” to hear the death of a local woman was now being treated as murder.
‘TERRIBLY PAIN’
In a statement to Mary’s grieving family, Women’s Aid said: “We cannot even begin to imagine the terrible pain you are going through right now.
“But please know that our thoughts and hearts are with all of you at this incredibly difficult time.
“Mary was just 22 years old and is the 24th woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020 and the fourth woman to be murdered in the last six weeks.”
Mary is the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in just six weeks.
OTHER FATAL DEATHS
On August 18, 57-year-old Sophie Watson was found dead at her home in Magherafelt.
Andrzej Pajaczkowski, 43, of Ashgrove Park, Magherafelt, has been charged with her murder.
On August 24, Montserrat Martorell, a 65-year-old woman originally from Spain, was found dead in an apartment in the city of Derry after a fire was reported at the property.
Ciaran Murray, 28, of Gortfoyle Place, Derry, has been charged with her murder.
On September 13, the body of 43-year-old Rachel Simpson was discovered in a garage next to a home in Belfast.
Her son, 21-year-old Nathan Simpson, of Castlereagh Road, Belfast, has been charged with her murder.
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