A 64-YEAR-OLD retired teacher has been found murdered in his home.
The body of Robert Flowerday was discovered at his house on Mill Road in Crumlin on Sunday evening.
Mr Flowerday, who worked as a maths, physics and chemistry tutor, previously taught mathematics at Antrim Grammar School. He was unmarried and lived alone in the house, beside the village's fire station.
Concerns have been raised following a spate of break-ins in the area. However, the circumstances of Mr Flowerday's death were unclear last night.
PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Alan Dickson said police were called to the scene after they were contacted by a member of the public on Sunday evening.
"When police arrived at his Mill Road home they discovered his body inside," he said.
Mr Flowerday was last seen alive when he left Dundrod Presbyterian Church at around 12.45pm on Sunday. He was wearing a high-visibility jacket as he cycled home to Crumlin.
Mr Dickson appealed to anyone who saw Mr Flowerday over the weekend, particularly between 12.45pm and 9.50pm on Sunday, to contact police.
"I am particularly keen to speak with anyone who saw or spoke with him at any time over the weekend, or anyone who was in his company," he said.
SDLP councillor Thomas Burns said Mr Flowerday was a well-known figure and was often seen riding his bike around the village.
"I would like to extend my sympathies to the immediate Flowerday family," he said.
"There is a sense of shock that this has happened in Crumlin. It's a terrible tragedy.
"I would urge anyone with information to pass it on to the police."
Sinn Féin MLA, Declan Kearney said the killing had stunned the village.
"I have spoken to local people who have expressed their shock over the murder of Mr Flowerday in Crumlin," he said.
"Crumlin is a tight knit community with much of the town life being focussed not far from where Mr Flowerday lived.
"I want to express my own sympathies to the victims family and while details are still emerging of this tragic death I would urge anyone with any bit of information or who saw anything suspicious to bring that to the PSNI."
