Murder investigation after a woman’s body was found

A murder investigation has been launched after the body of a 22-year-old woman was found in south Belfast.

Mary Ward was found dead by police officers in her Melrose Street home on October 1st.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the case had been referred to the Office of the Police Ombudsman following a review of its previous engagement with Ms Ward.

“Although there is no evidence of individual criminality or misconduct at this time, we remain concerned about our organization’s response,” a PSNI statement said.

Head of Public Protection Det Ch Supt Fisher said Ms Ward was the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in the last six weeks.

“This is absolutely horrific,” she continued. “Four families have been forever destroyed by senseless violence.

“As a police service, we recently revised our action plan to combat violence against women and girls and adopted the new national framework to align our response to this violence with that of terrorism and serious organized crime.

“The level of violence and loss in Northern Ireland demands nothing less.

“We are determined to relentlessly pursue the perpetrators.”

Combating violence against women and girls (VAWG) has recently been high on the list of police and political priorities.

Two years ago the PSNI launched an action plan.

This was followed by an executive office strategy released last month.

This is in response to the fact that more than 30 women and girls have been murdered in Northern Ireland in the last five years.

In the 12 months to July, the PSNI recorded 22,400 VAWG-related crimes.

According to the PSNI, this is a fall of 16% compared to last year and shows that some progress is being made.

However, she recognizes that there is still much work to be done – for society as a whole.

Det Ch Insp Foreman, who is leading the large investigation team, added: “Our thoughts at this moment are first and foremost with Mary’s loved ones who are devastated and struggling to cope with this tragic loss.”

Police believe Ms Ward was last seen alive on September 25.

They have appealed to anyone who saw or was in contact with her near or that day to get in touch.