LAST UPDATE | 17 Apr 2022

POLICE HAVE LAUNCHED a murder investigation after a woman died in a stabbing incident in County Antrim yesterday evening.

PSNI officers and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service personnel went to a house in Whitehead  shortly after 6pm – they found a woman in her 60s with stab wounds. 

The woman, Alyson Nelson, 64, died a short time later – a man has been arrested by police.  

Detective Inspector Foreman has appealed to the public for help in their investigation.

“We received a report at around 6.10 pm that a woman had been stabbed at a property in the Victoria Avenue area of Whitehead. Officers attended, along with emergency service colleagues.

“Sadly, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A man in his 60s has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody.

“I would again appeal to anyone with information about this incident to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1502 of 16/04/22,” the officer said. 

SDLP East Antrim Assembly candidate Siobhán McAlister has offered her condolences to the family and friends of Alyson Nelson.

“I’d like to express my condolences to the family and friends of Alyson Nelson following her tragic death. To lose a loved one under any circumstances is extremely difficult and I cannot begin to imagine what they are going through.

“This incident has shocked people in Whitehead, it’s a small seaside village and people just can’t believe that this has happened in their community. Having seen tributes it appears Mrs Nelson was well known and well liked in the area and I hope her family can take strength from this.

“I would urge anyone with any information about what happened here to come forward to police as soon as possible. It’s imperative they are given the proper time and space to carry out their investigation and I hope to see justice delivered for Mrs Nelson and her family following her untimely death,” she said.