Magherafelt murder investigation launched after man's body found
- Published
The body was found in a house in the Sandy Braes area
A murder investigation has been launched following the discovery of a man's body in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, on Monday.
The body was found in a downstairs flat in Sandy Braes at 12:30 BST.
A man was arrested nearby on suspicion of murder.
Police have said the investigation is at a very early stage and have appealed for anyone who noticed unusual activity in the Sandy Braes area in recent days to contact them.
It is understood the man who died lived in the flat and was well known in the town.
SDLP assembly member Patsy McGlone said Magherafelt was "not used to this kind of crime".
"To see two murder investigations launched in the wider area in a week has been very shocking for the community," he said.
Democratic Unionist Party councillor Paul McLean said the incident was "very alarming" and the exact circumstances were not yet clear.
Sinn Féin's Darren Totten said the "tight-knit community were shocked and stunned".
"It is incredibly sad and I would just urge anyone who may have information that could help the police to come forward," he added.