Woman, 22, found dead in flat after she wasn't seen for six days

A woman was murdered weeks after telling police she had ‘been the victim of a violent crime’.

Mary Ward, 22, was found dead at an address on Melrose Street, Belfast, on Tuesday, October 1.

She is the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in six weeks. The murders are not believed to be connected.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher said: ‘This is just absolutely appalling. Four families have been shattered forever by meaningless violence.’

She added: ‘We are absolutely determined that we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators.’

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has referred the case to the police ombudsman due to ‘previous engagement’ with Ms Ward.

The Office of the Police Ombudsman confirmed it is investigating the police response to this Ms Ward’s report before her death.

Detective Chief Inspector Foreman, who is leading the murder investigation, said: ‘Our thoughts at this time are first and foremost with Mary’s loved ones, who have been devastated and are struggling to come to terms with this tragic loss.

‘Specialist trained Family Liaison Officers continue to work with the family supporting 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 25th September.

‘We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or been in contact with Mary on or around that date.

‘I am asking anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant a detail may seem, to please contact us.’

In the last four years, 24 women have been murdered in Northern Ireland. Four of them, including Ms Ward, were killed in a six week period this year.