LAST UPDATE | 15 Dec 2024

TWO MEN SUSPECTED of murder have been arrested by police in Northern Ireland in connection with the investigation into the death of a woman in Co Down last night.

The victim has been named by police as 40 year-old Karen Cummings.

Police said they had received a report at 6:30pm last night that a woman was lying inside a house at Laurel Heights in Banbridge with a serious head injury. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detective Inspector Miller said that a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

A 42 year-old man was arrested at the scene on Saturday evening, while a second man aged in his 30s, was arrested in the local area today. Both were arrested on suspicion of murder, and both remain in police custody.

“Our investigation is at a very early stage and we are working to establish the full circumstances that led to this brutal and senseless murder,” Miller said.

District Commander for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Superintendent Brendan Green said: “Our thoughts are with Ms Cummings’ family and friends as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened, and they have our full sympathy at this time”.

The investigation continues, and a number of police cordons are in place.

Several politicians in the North have left messages of condolence online, including former UUP leader Doug Beattie and Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson.

DUP politician Carla Lockhart called for the public to “give the police time and space” to conduct their investigation into the incident.

As per my previous message, please give the police time and space to make their inquiries into this sad situation.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of this woman. https://t.co/N6h86D7nTC

— Carla Lockhart MP (@carlalockhart) December 14, 2024

The PSNI have since made an appeal for witnesses to the incident, and urged members of the public “not to speculate” on the case.