Murdered pregnant woman was 'supportive and loving mum'

A 42-year-old woman arrested by police investigating the murder of a pregnant woman in Donaghadee, County Down, has been released unconditionally by police.

Sarah Montgomery, 27, was the mother of two young girls and expecting her third child when she was pronounced dead at her Elmfield Walk home on Saturday afternoon.

The 42-year-old woman was arrested in Belfast on Monday on suspicion of assisting an offender.

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.

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."

Police were first alerted to an unconscious and seriously injured woman inside the Elmfield Walk house on Saturday afternoon. Ms Montgomery was then treated by emergency services but pronounced dead at the scene.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) described the case as "deeply tragic" and said it would "do everything in our power to bring anyone involved in this senseless murder to justice".

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.