PSNIMore tributes have been paid to a 27-year-old “supportive and loving” mother whose death, in her County Down home, is the subject of a murder investigation.
Sarah Montgomery, 27, from Donaghadee, had two young girls and was expecting her third child when she was pronounced dead at her Elmfield Walk home on Saturday afternoon.
A 42-year-old woman, who was arrested in Belfast on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender, has now been released.
A 28-year-old man who was detained on suspicion of murder remains in police custody.
On Monday, police were granted a 36-hour extension to question the 28-year-old man.
The death has shocked residents in Donaghadee, a coastal town about 20 miles (32km) from Belfast.
The local community has set up a fundraiser for funeral costs.
Louise Fitzsimons owns the Green Room flower shop in Donaghadee and says she left flowers outside her shop on Monday for the community and to pay tribute to “a beautiful life”.
She said that Sarah’s murder has left the town in “complete grief that has rippled through the town and people are still in disbelief”
Ryan Mawhinney is a gym manager at HQ fit in Donaghadee where Sarah attended.
He remembers her as ” a lovely, bubbly person who always had a smile on her face.”
He said that whilst the whole town is still in shock they will be doing something to remember Sarah.
Tributes to ‘a much loved past pupil’
Donaghadee Primary School described their former pupil as “the most supportive and loving mum to her two wonderful daughters”.
The school said she was “a much loved past pupil” and offered its “heartfelt thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences to Sarah’s family at this very sad time”.
Donaghadee Community Association said Donaghadee “is a very close and deeply caring community, and we know everyone will be feeling very shocked”.
“We encourage everyone to support one another in the days ahead.”
Donaghadee Parish Church said its clergy and congregation were “deeply saddened” by the death of Ms Montgomery.
It said the parish had a “strong connection to her family and one of her children was baptised in our congregation”.
“She was a familiar and friendly part of our local community, a young mum who would stand with other mums at the gate of Donaghadee Primary School at pick up time, a school which she herself had attended,” the statement added.
“The tragic nature of Sarah’s death, compounded with the loss of her unborn child, can only add to the immense sense of grief that her family and friends will be feeling.”
A vigil with Women’s Aid is to be held on Wednesday at 18:30 BST from the resource centre to Ms Montgomery’s home.
“Sarah is not just a statistic, Sarah was a mummy, a sister, a granddaughter and a friend, she deserves to be remembered in a dignified manner,” said the organisation.
PacemakerPolice appeal
On Monday, detectives issued a public appeal for information about a specific vehicle in east Belfast as part of their investigation.
They are seeking sightings of a yellow Jeep Avenger in the Airport Road area of the Belfast Harbour Estate on Friday afternoon.
“We are working at pace to determine the circumstances of Sarah’s tragic murder and need help from people in the Donaghadee and Belfast areas,” said Det Ch Insp Tom Phillips.
“This is an incredibly tragic case which has devastated Sarah’s family and friends, and leaves two small children without their beloved mum.”
He explained that officers want to hear from witnesses who may have seen anything suspicious in Elmfield Walk, Donaghadee, between 13:20 and 14:20 BST on Friday.
They are also appealing for sightings of the yellow Jeep between 15:30 and 16:15 later that same day.
