Body found inside burnt out car as police launch 'sudden death' probe

03 December 2023 , 12:35

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Forensics officers at the scene in Lurgan

Police in Northern Ireland have launched an investigation after a corpse was found in a burnt-out car.

According to reports, there is a large police cordon in place as police and forensics officers carry out their initial probe and forensics officers analyse a vehicle on the edge of a housing estate in the town of Lurgan, County Armagh.

Northern Ireland Police released a statement saying that two women, aged 35 and 43, and a 31-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They have been taken into police custody for questioning.

Detectives are asking for anyone who passed through Edward Street between 2am and 5am this morning to get in touch if they "noticed any suspicious activity". They also asked for motorists to contact them if they have any dash-cam footage from the road at the same time.

The Police Services Northern Ireland statement in full read: "Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder enquiry following an incident in the Edward Street area of Lurgan, on Sunday 3rd December.

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"Two women, aged 35 and 43, and a 31 year old man, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in custody assisting with police enquiries. Edward Street remains closed at this time while officers conduct further enquiries. Further updates will be provided in due course.

"Detectives would ask anyone who was in the Edward Street or Francis Street areas between 2am and 5am on Sunday morning, and who noticed any suspicious activity or who may have captured dash-cam footage which could assist with the investigation, to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 370 03/12/23. A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/."

Local MP Carla Lockhart announced the "sudden death" investigation on social media and called on the public to avoid speculation on the circumstances around the tragedy.

Ryan Fahey