Northern Ireland

Family of Natalie McNally release baby scan of unborn son Dean one month on from murder

An image of Natalie McNally posted to social media by her brother Niall McNally
An image of Natalie McNally posted to social media by her brother Niall McNally

THE family of Natalie McNally have released an image of her unborn son as they vow to keep fighting for justice and to get the "monster" who took her life.

Her brother, Niall McNally, posted a new photograph of Natalie along with a picture of her baby scan to social media to mark one month since the 32-year-old woman was murdered in her home in Lurgan's Silverwood Green.

Ms McNally was 15-weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

No-one has been charged in connection with the brutal attack on December 18.

In his post, Niall McNally said it was one month since Natalie, her baby Dean, and their family had their futures "cruelly taken away from us".

"One month on and we are still fighting and will continue to fight for you to get this monster and your justice," her brother said.

"You haven’t left and will never leave our thoughts. I Love you Nats," he added, with the hashtag #JusticeForNatalieMcNally.

Last Friday police arrested a 46-year-old man in south Belfast in connection with the murder. He was later released on bail.

A 32-year-old man arrested the day after the murder was released and is no longer a suspect, while a 32-year-old man arrested on December 21 was released pending further enquiries.

Meanwhile, police have renewed their appeal for information one month on, saying the murder had caused "unimaginable heartache" to Ms McNally's loved ones.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said police have carried out hundreds of house-to-house enquiries and seized over 4,000 hours of CCTV footage.

"I’m asking you to cast your mind back to that Sunday. If you witnessed anything untoward – no matter how insignificant it may seem – or if you have captured dash cam or CCTV footage, please get in touch," he said, adding that a £20,000 reward from charity Crimestoppers was being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

"The deaths of Natalie and her unborn baby have left unimaginable heartache to a loving family, whose world has been turned upside down," he added.

"They continue to grieve the loss of their only daughter and sister and also Natalie’s baby boy, who they have named Dean.

"Natalie’s killer robbed all of them of meeting Dean and watching him grow up as part of their loving family."

Fresh CCTV footage of a man in the Silverwood Green area on the night of her murder was released by police last week in a bid to identify him.

DCI McGuinness added: "I am appealing to anyone who noticed someone they know acting strangely that night to come and speak to us. Maybe you recognise the rucksack or noticed that a rucksack was missing for a period of time or indeed is still missing.

"The suspect captured in the CCTV footage has an unusual gait.

"We remain absolutely determined to bring him to justice for this heinous murder. "