Murdered pregnant mum was 'lovely person' who cared for autistic brothers

Sarah Montgomery had two young girls and was heavily pregnant with her third child when she died

A mother-of-two killed at her home in Donaghadee, County Down, on Saturday, had cared for her two autistic brothers and elderly grandparents, a friend has said.

Sarah Montgomery, 27, who was heavily pregnant with her third child, was found seriously injured before being pronounced dead at her home.

Hundreds of people attended a vigil in Donaghadee in her memory on Wednesday evening.

A man appeared in court on Wednesday charged with murder. Zak Hughes, 28, from Ardglen Place in north Belfast, is also charged with child destruction.

Zak Hughes is charged with murder and child destruction

Sharon Benson, is chairperson of Donaghadee Resource Centre, who helped organise the vigil, along with North Down Women's Aid.

She had known Ms Montgomery since childhood.

Ms Benson said people felt "so sad for her little girls, her grandparents, and for her brothers".

Sharon Benson (left) walked alongside Sarah's friend Ainsley White, who addressed the vigil, and Emalyn Turkington from Women's Aid North Down and Ards

"We don't know how her brothers are going to comprehend this," she told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme.

"And then for her poor wee children, they are just so young, it is just awful.

"Sarah's two brothers are autistic and she looked after them and helped her elderly grandparents as well.

"Sarah did everything for them and it has all just been taken away from her, so quickly and so brutally."

'Full of excitement' about baby boy

She said Ms Montgomery was a "lovely" person who was "full of excitement" about having a baby boy.

"Shocking, it is just not right, and we just want to make sure that Sarah is not forgotten.

"You never think it is going to come to your own doorstep, and it has."

Hundreds of people turned out for the vigil in Donaghadee, County Down, on Wednesday

The crowds of people gathered at the resource centre in Donaghadee for a short walk to Sarah's home at Elmfield Walk on Wednesday evening.

A minute's silence was held outside the property.

People gathered outside Sarah Montgomery's house

In recent days, many tributes have been paid to Ms Montgomery.

Donaghadee Primary School described their former pupil as "the most supportive and loving mum to her two wonderful daughters".

The school said she was "a much loved past pupil" and offered its "heartfelt thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences to Sarah's family at this very sad time".

Sir Samuel Kelly and Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company described Ms Montgomery as "a vibrant individual" who "lived for her two girls who were so excited to have a baby brother join their little family in August".

The mayor of Ards and North Down said: "Our hearts are broken at this tragic loss of a young life."

Cllr Gillian McCollum added that everyone is grieving for her daughters, "her unborn child and all her family and friends".

About 50 people also gathered for a vigil in Guildhall Square in Londonderry on Wednesday evening to remember her.