THE daughter of a 43-year-old woman stabbed to death on Christmas Day said she died a “hero” saving her life.
Jayne Toal Reat, from Comber, was stabbed at a house in the Mornington Lane area of Lisburn.
Emergency services were called to the house shortly after 6am on Monday, but despite efforts by paramedics she died at the scene.
The victim’s daughter Charlotte and a man were also taken to hospital with stab wounds.
Both have since been discharged from hospital.
A 19-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of murder and was last night being questioned by
police.
Charlotte Reat said her mother died in her arms after giving her life to save her.
The 21-year-old was stabbed in the face, head and neck during the attack.
Thanking all those who had sent messages of condolences, she posted on Facebook it was a “day I will never forget”.
“I can still feel her in my arms and hear her screams of pain and see the panic on her face,” she said.
“My mum died saving me. I was stabbed twice in the head once in my face and once to the back of my neck”, she said.
Ms Reat said she has been staying with family members since the attack and would have to identify her mother’s body “which is not something I ever expected to be doing”.
Paying tribute to her hero mother she said “you died saving my life and I just wish I could trade places with you”.
SDLP MLA Pat Catney said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the woman’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.
“I would urge anyone with information, however small, about what happened here to bring it forward as soon as possible.”
Alliance Party councillor for the area Amanda Grehan said there was shock among residents of the Mornington area, which is a
relatively new mixed housing
development.
“My thoughts are with the loved ones of the victim. Christmas Day is one most people spend with their families and is full of joyous moments. However, now we have one family plunged into grief and despair”, she said.
DUP councillor Jonathan Craig said he was “deeply shocked”.
“It’s an incredibly tragic incident and our sympathies and prayers go to those whose loved ones have died.”
