Northern Ireland

Chloe Mitchell funeral takes place in Ballymena

Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

A funeral service for 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell has been broadcast over a large screen in Ballymena.

The funeral began at her home at noon today and was livestreamed on Facebook and on a screen in King George Harryville Park.

The service took place following the formal identification of her remains on Monday afternoon, more than two weeks after they were found in the Co Antrim town.

A large-scale search for the 21-year-old was launched in her home town of Ballymena earlier this month after she disappeared.

Alan Francey Funeral Services said Ms Mitchell would be "lovingly remembered and sadly missed by the entire family circle".

Read More: 

  • Identification of remains in Chloe Mitchell murder case ongoing, police say
  • Brother of murdered 21-year-old woman thanks community as hundreds attend vigil

As part of the investigation, the PSNI examined a number of scenes around the town.

It emerged last week that a post-mortem examination had been completed.

Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Ms Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday June 3 in Ballymena town centre.

Suspected human remains were recovered on June 11. 

Brandon John Rainey (26) from James Street in Ballymena, has appeared in court charged with Ms Mitchell's murder while Ryan Johnston Gordon (34) from Nursery Close, Ballymena, is accused of assisting an offender.

Vigils to remember Ms Mitchell have been held in Ballymena and Belfast.

Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire Members of the public in King George Harryville Park, Ballymena, after a service of thanksgiving for the life of Chloe Mitchell which was shown on a large screen. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Police have previously confirmed that a post mortem examination on human remains had concluded and that the "identification process is still ongoing".

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Millar said: “The identification process on human remains found in Ballymena on Sunday June 11 has now concluded and have been confirmed as those of Chloe Mitchell.”