Police say Friday night’s double murder of two women inside their own homes was ‘really shocking and horrific’ and has left children without mothers.
Karen McClean, 50 and Stacey Knell who was 30-years-old died along with 26-year-old Kenneth Flanagan in homes in Rathcoole and Whiteabbey on Friday (19 March).
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell said this was a place where the women should have been safe.
“My thoughts are very much with their families as they come to terms with their tragic loss. Both women were mothers and this appalling murder has left children facing a lifetime without their mums,” he said.
Around 11pm on Friday evening, police received a report of a stabbing at a house in Derrycoole Way. Officers attended, along with colleagues from NIAS and sadly, a woman was pronounced dead. Officers then attended a residential property in the Glenville Road area where a second woman was found dead. An unconscious man was also found inside the property. He subsequently died.
“I am not looking for anyone else in connection with the murders which I believe are connected. We would urge anyone with any information which may assist our investigation to contact 101 and quote reference number 2441 of 19/03/21. A report can also be made online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/,” he added.