Murdered Chloe Mitchell
Police launched a murder inquiry on Sunday after remains were found on Sunday during searches for the 21-year-old in the Ballymena area.
Two men faced Ballymena Magistrates’ Court today – one was charged with her murder and the other with assisting offenders – and both were remanded in custody.
Brandon John Rainey (26) was accused of murdering Ms Mitchell between June 2 and June 5.
Said the Foyle MLA: “My heart goes out to the family and friends of Chloe Mitchell at this truly awful time.
“It is just heart breaking that such a young life has been taken, particularly in such terrible circumstances, and I cannot imagine the grief that they all must feel.
“We can never allow ourselves to be desensitized by this violence.
“Far too many women in Northern Ireland continue to lose their lives and we must do everything in our power to address this situation.
“Northern Ireland has some of the highest levels of domestic violence in the whole of Western Europe, yet Women’s Aid Northern Ireland is losing key funding that is essential to them carrying out the vital work they do.
“It should go without saying that the long overdue Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy must be comprehensive and fully resourced and we must ensure that those on the frontlines of helping us to develop this policy are fully supported as well.”
