Natalie McNally: Murder weapon recovered in investigation

Police believe they have recovered the weapon used in the murder of Lurgan woman Natalie McNally and that it came from her home.

The 32-year-old was 15 weeks pregnant when she was stabbed on 18 December.

Det Ch Insp Neil McGuinness said he believed she knew her killer, that they had a pre-existing relationship and that she was comfortable allowing him into her home.

Police said nothing suggested her killer was a risk to other women.

"I believe this was a targeted attack towards Natalie McNally," said Det Ch Insp McGuinness.

Two arrests have been made in connection with Ms McNally's murder but no-one has been charged.

The senior Police Service of Northern Ireland detective said he was "keeping an open mind" as to whether it was a planned attack or something that developed when the killer arrived at Ms McNally's home.

"I don't believe Natalie's door was locked," he added.

"I believe the killer entered her home as soon as he walked up to her door".

Natalie McNally was found dead in a house in Silverwood Green

"I am keen to build up a picture of Natalie's relationships - her friends and lifestyle - so I would like to hear from any friends or acquaintances who have visited her in her home," he said.

He also appealed for anyone who knew Ms McNally or had interacted with her online or in person to contact police.

"The deaths of Natalie and her unborn baby have left unimaginable heartache and pain to her family, whose hearts are broken.

"We remain determined to bring her killer to justice," he added.

Since her murder, detectives have seized more than 3,000 hours of CCTV footage and have submitted more than 50 items for forensic examination.

'Notoriously difficult'

Police previously released CCTV footage of a suspect near Ms McNally's home on the night she died.

On Thursday, police again appealed for members of the public who recognised the person in the footage to get in touch.

Det Ch Insp McGuinness asked the public not to count on the fact that the images appeared to be grey as CCTV footage was "notoriously difficult" at differentiating colours.

"As far as bloodstaining is concerned - footage is not capable of determining that. We cannot say whether the killer had bloodstaining on his clothes or whether he didn't," he said.

"I would ask the public to examine their memories if anyone they knew had bloodstaining on their clothes when they returned home on 18 December.

"Someone must know who he is. Do you really want to protect a man who would kill a woman and her unborn baby?" he added.

The detective was asked about online rumours linking Ms McNally to a serving police officer.

"We have conducted investigations into that matter and we've eliminated that person from inquiries," he said.

A silent vigil was held for Ms McNally as well as Bruna Fonesca, who was found dead in an apartment in Cork on New Year's Day

A silent vigil took place at Stormont for Ms McNally on Thursday afternoon.

Her brother Declan thanked the community for their support.

"Whatever differences of opinions there are in this country we know there is no difference of opinion and everybody wants to see an end to violence against women and girls," he said.

"Everybody in society has to redouble our efforts to end violence against women and girls in memory of our sister Natalie."

The vigil was organised by Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neill.

It was also held for Bruna Fonesca, who was found dead in an apartment in Cork in the Republic of Ireland on New Year's Day.

"The most powerful message we can send today is enough is enough. We're not going to tolerate this in society," she said.

The vigil was held after a childhood friend of Ms McNally posted a letter to Ms O'Neill and Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson on social media, criticising them for failing to publicly acknowledge the murder.

Ellen Toner from Lurgan published the letter to her Facebook page on Sunday, saying: "It is simply an outrage that the leaders of our country have failed to acknowledge such an unbelievable tragedy and an unimaginable crime."

Stormont strategy

A spokeswoman for The Executive Office (TEO) said it was anticipated a framework around an Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy would be ready in the spring for public consultation.

"Tackling this problem will take a whole-of-society approach and the focus of the strategy will be on delivering ambitious solutions to address the root causes of all forms of violence against women and girls, with a particular emphasis on prevention and early intervention with a view to effect behavioural and attitudinal change," she said.

Natalie McNally had celebrated her 32nd birthday with her parents in October

Speaking at Thursday's vigil, Sarah Mason, chief executive of Women's Aid Federation NI, criticised the lack of political leadership in tackling violence against women and girls.

Ms Mason said the issue is "more important than anything else and they [the executive] have to deal with that".

Northern Ireland has been without a power-sharing government since February after the DUP walked out of the first minister's role in protest against the post-Brexit trading arrangements known as the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Ms Mason added that Northern Ireland was already playing catch-up after the executive collapsed for three years in 2017 due to Sinn Féin's withdrawal.

"We don't want to play catch-up, we want women and girls in Northern Ireland to have the same level of safety and recognition and the same actions around violence against women and girls, strategy and funding."

Earlier in the week, Ms McNally's parents spoke of their grief at losing their daughter before Christmas.

Her father Noel also made an appeal for his daughter's killer to "find it in his heart to give himself up to the police".

• Mother tells of grief after daughter's murder

• Natalie McNally 'should have been safe at home'

A 32-year-old man arrested on Monday 19 December was released the next day and is no longer a suspect.

Another 32-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday 21 December and has been released on police bail while detectives continue their inquiries.

The charity Crimestoppers has offered a £20,000 reward.

Investigation timeline

SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER

• 20:52 - Man carrying rucksack seen on CCTV arriving in Natalie McNally's street, Silverwood Green

• 21:30 - CCTV footage shows man leaving Silverwood Green

MONDAY 19 DECEMBER

• 22:00 - Emergency services called to Ms McNally's house. She is pronounced dead and a man in his 30s is arrested on suspicion of murder

TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER

• Suspect released. Cause of Ms McNally's death is not confirmed but police say they are treating it as "suspicious"

WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER

• 18:00 - Police say Ms McNally suffered several stab wounds, some of which were defensive, and are treating her death as murder

• 23:52 - 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder

THURSDAY 22 DECEMBER

• 15:45 - CCTV footage released of man with rucksack

• 19:50 - 32-year-old man released on police bail

THURSDAY 5 JANUARY

• Police say they have recovered the weapon used in the murder and that it came from Ms McNally's home