Woman and man are arrested on suspicion of murder more than two decades after 25-year-old ‘vanished from party’ in Northern Ireland
A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder for more than two decades after a 25-year-old ‘disappeared from a party’ in Northern Ireland.
Lisa Dorrian disappeared from an event at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park in County Down on the night of February 27, 2005, and detectives believe she was murdered a short time later.
Miss Dorrian’s body was never found, despite numerous extensive searches and desperate campaigns by her grieving family.
A 40-year-old woman was arrested today on suspicion of murder in Bangor, also in County Down, about 13 miles from the caravan park, almost exactly 21 years after Miss Dorrian disappeared.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) also suspects the woman of aiding criminals, withholding information and preventing a lawful and proper burial.
He is currently under police custody.
The 42-year-old man was also arrested in Scotland earlier today on the same suspicions in connection with the murder of Ms Dorrian; The PSNI was supported by Police Scotland and the PSNI’s Cross Border Transit Officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman said: ‘The arrest comes just days before the 21st anniversary of Lisa’s disappearance and murder.
Lisa Dorrian, 25, disappeared from a party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park in County Down, Northern Ireland, in 2005. Now, almost 21 years later, a 40-year-old woman has been arrested
Police released CCTV footage of Ms Dorrian’s last few hours in a renewed appeal on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance last year.
Lisa’s sister Joanne previously spoke on the 20th anniversary of Lisa’s disappearance following extensive search operations in 2019. He said: ‘Our family was never the same’
Miss Dorrian’s body was never found, despite numerous extensive searches and desperate campaigns by her grieving family.
‘Lisa was last seen alive in Ballyhalbert, County Down, on the night of Sunday 27 February 2005 and we believe she was killed that night or in the early hours of the following morning.
‘We are determined to get justice for Lisa’s family and I would appeal to anyone with information about her disappearance and murder to contact detectives by calling 101.’
A 68-year-old man was previously arrested on suspicion of Ms Dorrian’s murder in December last year. He was also suspected of aiding criminals, withholding information, and obstructing a legal and proper burial.
Speaking 20 years after her disappearance, Lisa’s sister Joanne Dorrian said their mother passed away “never knowing what had happened to her beautiful first-born daughter”.
‘Our family has never been the same since the day we received the news that Lisa was missing,’ he added.
On the 20th anniversary of his disappearance, detectives appealed again for information and released CCTV footage of his last few hours.
The video shows Ms Dorrian entering the Saltwater Brig pub in County Down on the afternoon of February 26.
