Northern Ireland

Woman at centre of Co Derry murder probe named locally as Katrina Rainey

Police forensics officer at the scene on the Quarry Road near Gulladuff. Picture by Alan Lewis/ PhotopressBelfast
Police forensics officer at the scene on the Quarry Road near Gulladuff. Picture by Alan Lewis/ PhotopressBelfast Police forensics officer at the scene on the Quarry Road near Gulladuff. Picture by Alan Lewis/ PhotopressBelfast

THE suspected murder of a Co Derry woman is the second tragedy to hit the family after her daughter died in a farmyard accident almost 20 years ago.

The victim, who has been named locally as Katrina Rainey and aged in her 50s, was found inside a burning car parked at her home between Knockloughrim and Gulladuff on Tuesday at around 5.40am.

Firefighters and the ambulance service attended the scene at Quarry Road and Ms Rainey was taken to hospital where she died later that evening.

Forensic teams remained at the scene yesterday as the investigation continued.

A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and was also treated in hospital for burn injuries.

In 2002 Ms Rainey and her family faced tragedy when their six-year-old daughter Heather Louise Rainey died after an accident at the family farm.

Heather's brother and sister, who are two of triplets, were both also injured when masonry fell from a silage pit.

Heather Louise Rainey died in 2002
Heather Louise Rainey died in 2002 Heather Louise Rainey died in 2002

Rev Glen Jordan, the former minister at Knockloughrim Presbyterian Church, described the Raineys as a "lovely family and totally supportive and kind and helpful".

Mid Ulster DUP councillor Ann Forde said the local community was shocked.

"I knew the family, a lovely family and always very helpful and the community is stunned and devastated," she said.

"And they will rally around and support the children and what can be done."

Sinn Féin assembly member Emma Sheerin said the local community is in "shock".

"My thoughts are with the women’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time," she said.

"A police murder investigation is underway and I would call on anyone with any information which may help those inquiries to contact the PSNI."