An eight-year-old girl was among three people who died in Co Antrim in an incident being investigated as a double murder and sudden death, police have said.
Shocking scene discovered in Ballymena
Ambulance workers were met with what has been described as a “shocking scene” on Monday morning when they found the three bodies at a house in the Old Cullybackey Road area of Ballymena.
The PSNI Mid & East Antrim District Commander, Superintendent William Calderwood, said the three were from the same family, and were a 41-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and an eight-year-old girl. The adults are believed to have originally been from Poland.
Police not seeking anyone else
Mr Calderwood said specialist officers are supporting the families of the dead and police are liaising with the Polish Consulate. “We would ask that the public avoid speculation while we make those who live outside Northern Ireland aware of their deaths,” he said.
“We await the results of post-mortem examinations and are keeping an open mind as to what has occurred, however a strong hypothesis is that this was a double murder followed by a sudden death. As such, at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.”
Community in shock
On Tuesday morning, police tape remained outside the property on the Old Cullybackey Road. Toys could be seen outside the house and a pair of pink and blue child’s sandals were drying on a washing line. Flowers have been left at the house by neighbours who are said to be shocked at the tragedy.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Thomas Gordon said the “heartbreaking” incident has “shocked the local community and left many people struggling to come to terms with the devastating news”. He added: “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives.”
Increased police presence
Mr Calderwood said there will be an increased police presence as a “significant number of detectives and local policing are dedicated to working on this case night and day”. He also said he had spoken personally with each of the first responding officers and that trauma-focused care will continue.
He urged anyone with information, CCTV or dash-cam footage to contact police on 101, quoting reference 482 13/07/26, or use the witness appeal form at https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals.
