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Marie Conlon buried at Milltown Cemetery almost three years after her death

Marie Conlon was found dead at her flat in west Belfast, where she had lain undiscovered for almost three years. Picture by Mal McCann
Marie Conlon was found dead at her flat in west Belfast, where she had lain undiscovered for almost three years. Picture by Mal McCann Marie Conlon was found dead at her flat in west Belfast, where she had lain undiscovered for almost three years. Picture by Mal McCann

A WOMAN whose body lay undiscovered at her flat in west Belfast for almost three years has been buried at Milltown Cemetery following a funeral service last week.

The body of Marie Conlon (68) was found in bed by police who forced their way into her apartment at Larkspur Rise, off the Suffolk Road, on October 6.

There was widespread shock at the discovery after police said they believed Ms Conlon may have been dead since January 2015.

Police initially indicated that the pensioner may have been murdered have since said that forensic examinations are continuing to establish the cause of death.

A 23-year-old man is expected to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday November 6 charged with offences related to theft, fraud, burglary and preventing the lawful burial of a body.

The man was released unconditionally in relation to suspicion of murder.

Police said her remains were found in bed and it was "apparent that she had lain undiscovered for some time."

In a statement, her family said that they were "shocked and heartbroken" at the death of their "beloved sister".

"Numerous attempts had been made to contact her in person, and by other means, over the course of the past two years but at no point were suspicions raised that she had been deceased," they said in a statement.

Requiem Mass for Ms Conlon, who was not married and had no children, took place at St Oliver Plunkett Church in Lenadoon last Thursday, October 19.