Ballymena murder victim 'strangled'

Police have today confirmed that the young woman whose body was found in a car park in County Antrim on Tuesday, was strangled.

A murder inquiry was officially launched yesterday, following the results of a post mortem examination.

The victim has since been named as 24-year-old Shirley Finlay from Crebilly Road in the town, who was found wrapped in a duvet in a car park in the Mount Street area at around 3.30pm.

Police have confirmed that they are investigating the possibility of a sexual motive for her murder.

Detectives in Ballymena are trying to trace the movements of Ms Finlay in the hours leading up to her death, and have appealed to the public to come forward with any information which may be relevant to the investigation.

Ms Finlay has been described as being around 5ft in height, of slim to medium build, and was wearing a grey coloured fleece.

She is said to have been “a very vulnerable person," with mental health problems and who regularly walked alone in Ballymena.

She was last seen at around 3pm on Monday.

SDLP councillor Declan O`Loan described the murder as a tragedy.

He said: "Whatever the exact circumstances, and those remain to be revealed, it is a tragic situation."

Anyone with any information should contact detectives in Ballymena on 0845 600 8000, or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

(EF/KMcA)