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A pregnant woman was stabbed to death a week before Christmas by someone she knew who was comfortable in her home, police believe.
Detectives looking for Natalie McNally’s killer said they believe they have recovered the murder weapon, which is believed to have come from her home and was not brought to the property by her attacker.
It is one of 50 items seized by officers that are being examined by forensics.
Ms McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was murdered at her home on Silverwood Green in Lurgan, County Armagh, on 18 December.
PHOTO: A silent vigil was held for women who died in violent circumstances
Chief of detectives Neil McGuinness said he believed the 32-year-old woman had a previous relationship with her attacker.
The Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) officer said: “I remain open-minded, but my main line of inquiry is that the murder was committed by someone Natalie knew who was actually comfortable letting her into her home.
“I believe this was a targeted attack against Natalie McNally,” he added.
At a news conference in Carrickfergus on Thursday, McGuinness reiterated his call for help in identifying a man who was seen arriving and leaving the street where McNally lived on the night of the murder.
The interrogator said, “Do you really want to protect a man who would kill a woman and her unborn child?”
He said the police had no information indicating a danger to the other women.
Image: Friends carry Ms. McNally’s coffin at her funeral in Lurgan last month
He said he did not believe Mrs. McNally’s door was locked when her killer arrived.
“I keep an open mind whether this was a pre-planned attack or something that developed when the killer arrived at the address,” McGuinness added.
Image: A mourner holds a service order during Ms. McNally’s funeral
A 32-year-old man has been unconditionally released and is no longer a suspect.
Another 32-year-old man who was taken into custody on 21 December has been released on bail to allow further investigations.
The three McNally siblings were among those who attended a silent vigil in Parliament Houses, Stormont for Mrs McNally on Thursday afternoon.
“Everyone in the community should redouble our efforts to end violence against women and girls in memory of our sister Natalie,” her brother Declan told the crowd.
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