A woman who whose body was found in south Belfast last week had been “the victim of a violent crime” in the weeks prior to her death.
Mary Ward (22) was found dead by police at her home on Melrose Street off the Lisburn Road last Tuesday.
Her death was upgraded to murder following an investigation by detectives from the serious crime branch, with a major investigation team now in place.
Today, the Police Ombudsman confirmed an investigation is taking place into the PSNI’s response to Ms Ward’s report of a violent crime.
A statement released today said: “The Police Ombudsman has confirmed that an investigation has commenced following the murder of Mary Ward who, in the weeks prior to her death, had reported to police that she had been the victim of a violent crime.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Mary Ward’s family.
“Following Ms Ward’s murder, we received a referral from PSNI on Sunday evening (6 October 2024). We have completed our initial review and have now commenced an independent investigation.
“In the weeks prior to her murder, Ms Ward reported to police that she had been the victim of a violent crime. Our investigation will focus on the police response to this report.”
The mother-of-one is the fourth woman to be murdered in the north in the last six weeks, which is “absolutely appalling”, said the PSNI’s head its Public Protection Branch Detective Chief Superintendent Lindsay Fisher.
It has also emerged the case has been referred to the Police Ombudsman’s office following a “review of our previous engagement with Mary”, the PSNI said.
“While at this time there is no suggestion of individual criminality or misconduct, we are nonetheless concerned about our organisational response,” a spokesperson added.
“Our thoughts at this time are first and foremost with Mary’s loved ones, who have been devastated and are struggling to come to terms with this tragic loss,” said Detective Chief Inspector Foreman, who is leading the investigation team.
“Specialist trained Family Liaison Officers continue to work with the family supporting them through this difficult period.
“Whilst our investigation is at an early stage and we are working to establish the exact circumstances, we believe that Mary was last seen alive on Wednesday 25th September. We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen or been in contact with Mary on or around that date.
“I am asking anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant a detail may seem, to please contact us by calling 101.
“You can also submit information online at psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
“Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, with total anonymity on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.”
Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at mipp.police.uk.
DCS Fisher added: “”Mary Ward is the fourth woman to be murdered in Northern Ireland in just six weeks. This is absolutely appalling. Four families have been shattered forever by meaningless violence.”
She said the police recently revised its tackling violence against women and girls action plan and “adopted the new national framework to align our response to this violence with that of terrorism and serious and organised crime”.
“The level of violence and loss in Northern Ireland demands nothing less. We are absolutely determined that we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators.”
