Two men were being questioned by police today on suspicion of murder following the “brutal and senseless” death of a woman in Co Down.
Karen Cummings, a 40-year-old deputy sister at Daisy Hill hospital in Newry, died at house in the Laurel Heights area of Banbridge on Saturday evening.
The mother-of-two is understood to be the seventh woman killed in Northern Ireland this year.
A 42-year-old man was arrested at the scene on Saturday evening, while a second man in his thirties was detained on Sunday afternoon when he presented himself at a police cordon after emerging from a nearby farmyard close to the crime scene.
A former pupil of Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry, Ms Cummings studied nursing at the Banbridge campus of Southern Regional College, Queen’s University and Ulster University.
Police said they attended the scene alongside paramedics at 6.30pm on Saturday, after receiving a report of unconscious woman with a serious head injury.
The Ambulance Service staff provided medical treatment at the scene but Ms Cummings was pronounced deceased a short time later.
A death notice posted on Sunday described the deceased as a “devoted” mother.
“Karen (née McQuaid) devoted mummy of Curtis and Zara, cherished daughter of Margarita and stepdaughter of Andrew and loving granddaughter of Mary and the late Jim McQuaid,” it said.
“Karen’s heartbroken family ask that you respect their privacy as they navigate the devastating and tragic loss of Karen. Her mother’s residence will remain private until her funeral arrangements are announced.
“She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her heartbroken children, mother, stepfather, grandmother, her uncles Eugene and his wife Karen, Philip and his wife Alison and Martin and his partner Stephanie, her auntie Wendy, her cousins, her friends, her Paediatric nursing colleagues at Daisy Hill Hospital and the entire family circle.”
Upper Bann MLA and Alliance deputy leader Eóin Tennyson described the incident as a “dark day for the local community”.
“My thoughts and condolences are with Karen’s loved ones as they come to terms with this tragic loss,” he said.
Ulster Unionist Doug Beattie described the incident as “femicide”.
“My thoughts must be with the family and friends of the victim and those police officers dealing with this difficult situation,” he said.
“But comforting words is not enough, in the days and weeks to come we must review how our justice system deals with violence against women and girls and those dangerous individuals allowed to roam our streets. At the moment we are failing and it is women and girls paying the price.”
Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Savage extended his condolences to Ms Cummings’ family and friends.
“My heartfelt thoughts are with this woman’s loved ones as they come to terms with this tragic loss of life,” he said.
“The local community is shocked and saddened by the death of this woman and I would appeal to anyone with information to bring it forward to the PSNI.”
Police said they were working to establish the full circumstances of what they termed a “brutal and senseless murder”.
PSNI district commander Brendan Green said: “Our thoughts are with Ms Cummings’ family and friends as they struggle to come to terms with what has happened, and they have our full sympathy at this time.”
He said residents in the Laurel Heights area would see “an increased visible police presence”.
“Please be reassured that our officers will be doing everything in their power to conduct a thorough investigation into what has happened, and we would urge members of the public not to speculate,” he said.
Meanwhile friends paid tribute online following the tragedy.
One said: “Heaven has gained another beautiful angel.”
Another said the news had left her “absolutely devastated”.
“My heart is so sore right now. Karen Cummings was one of the best girls I’ve ever met...thinking of her family and her friends right now,” added another.
