A YOUNG mum-of-two was 34-weeks pregnant with a baby boy when she was killed in her own home in Co Down over the weekend, it has been reported.
Sarah Montgomery, 27, was found dead with serious injuries in the Elmfield Area of the Donaghadee at around 2:15pm on Saturday afternoon.
Two suspects known to the victim, a 42-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man, have been arrested in connection with the murder investigation.
The man remains in custody and continues to be questioned by the PSNI after they were granted an extension.
It was confirmed this morning that the woman arrested by detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team has been released unconditionally.
An investigating officer described the murder as an “incredibly tragic case”.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector, Tom Phillips said: “It has devastated Sarah’s family and friends, and leaves two small children without their beloved Mum.
“Specially trained officers will continue to support Sarah’s family and we are working to do everything in our power to bring anyone involved in this senseless murder to justice.”
Floral tributes, teddy bears and notes have been placed near the scene in a heartbreaking tribute to Sarah, with one message describing the young woman as a “beautiful, kind and wonderful mother”.
Speaking to The Irish Independent, a friend of Sarah’s told how the young mum was a “wonderful, kind-hearted and supportive” person.
She continued: “The loss of Sarah and her unborn baby boy is devastating for everyone who knew her.
“My heart especially breaks for her wee girls, her grandparents and her brothers; their loss is unimaginable. Rest in peace Sarah, you will be so missed.”
SDLP MLA Cara Hunter said Sarah’s death was an “unspeakable act of violence which has robbed her children of their mother and shattered a family forever”.
She added: “There is no grief more profound than that of a child torn from the love, safety and care of their mother. Their lives undoubtedly changed forever.”
Sarah was the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
Ms Hunter said: “This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a worsening epidemic of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland.
“We are failing women, we are failing children and we are failing to meet this crisis with sufficient urgency, co-ordination and political will that it so greatly requires.
‘SHOCK AND SADNESS’
“Too many women in our communities live in fear, fear in their homes, fear on the streets and fear in their relationships.
“This fear is not imagined. It is real and it is justified.”
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill told the Stormont Assembly that Ms Montgomery’s death underlines the “epidemic in our society” of violence against women and girls.
DUP North Down MLA Stephen Dunne said the community in Donaghadee is rallying around Sarah’s heartbroken family.
He said: “Donaghadee is a very close-knit and caring community and I know the community there is already rallying around the family of Sarah Montgomery.
“There is a real sense of shock and sadness and alarm around the devastating events at the weekend.”
DEVASTATING FIGURE
Dunne added: “Sarah is the 27th adult woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
“The majority of these woman have been killed in their own homes, which is a truly shocking and devastating figure.
“A home should be a place of refuge and safety, but sadly that is not always the case.
“Again, it highlights the need for tougher sentencing as well, when we see so many lives ended and totally devastated and shattered with this ongoing scourge of our society of violence against women and girls.”
Police are urging anyone who saw or heard anything unusual or suspicious in the Elmfield Walk area between 1.20pm and 2.20pm on Friday 27 July to contact them.
They are also appealing for anyone who saw a yellow Jeep Avenger in the Airport Road area of the Belfast Harbour Estate between 3.30pm and 4.15pm that afternoon to get in touch.
Anyone who has CCTV or camera footage that could be useful to the investigation is also urged to contact police.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Philips said: “Even if you think it may not be important, please come forward and speak with us as even very small pieces of information could prove invaluable to us.”
