Community in shock over ‘vicious’ Co Derry murder

A local MLA says there is a “deep sense of shock” in the Limavady community after the death of a woman subjected to a “vicious attack” in the Co Derry town.

The body of 61-year-old Ludmila Poletelova was found at her flat in Lodge Court on Friday afternoon.

A post-mortem examination, carried out on Saturday, found she died as a result of a number of blows to the head.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness of the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team said police were “working round the clock” to catch her killer.

“Her family have been informed and our family liaison officers are supporting them at what is obviously a shocking and horrific time for them,” said DCI McGuinness.

Ms Poletelova was a Latvian national who had lived and worked in Limavady for a number of years.

But she had not been seen by friends or neighbours since Monday, 19 April, according to police.

At about 2.45 pm on Friday, officers received a report of a “sudden death” of a woman at the flat in Lodge Court, off Main Street.

Police and ambulance staff were deployed to the scene and, following the results of the post-mortem examination on Saturday, a murder inquiry into Ms Poletelova’s death was announced.

Sinn Fein’s East Derry MLA Caoimhe Archibald said the murder had shocked the community.

“My thoughts and sympathies are with her family, friends and loved ones at this time,” the Sinn Féin MLA said.

“The PSNI has now launched a murder inquiry and I would encourage anyone with information which can help to get in contact with the police.”

DCI McGuinness said detectives are “working on retracing her movements over recent days and scouring CCTV footage from shops and businesses in the area”.

“I am making an urgent appeal to the public for information'” he said.

“Were you walking or driving in the Main Street area of Limavady any time between last Monday morning, 19th April and the afternoon of Friday 23rd April?

“If you were and you have dashcam footage or saw any suspicious or unusual activity in the area, it is vitally important that you get in touch with police.

“This was a vicious attack on a woman in her own home – a place where she should have been safe and secure.”

DCI McGuinness said members of the public would notice greater police presence in the area over the weekend as detectives carry out investigations close to the victim’s home and in Limavady town centre.

“I want to reassure the local community that we are working round the clock to apprehend the perpetrator,” the detective added.

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