According to police, both individuals “were known to the victim and at present, no-one else is being sought in connection with the crime.”

“This is an incredibly tragic case which has devastated Sarah’s family and friends, and leaves two small children without their beloved mum,” noted Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips.

“The loss of Sarah and her unborn baby boy is devastating for everyone who knew her,” a friend told reporters. “My heart especially breaks for her wee girls, her grandparents and her brothers; their loss is unimaginable. Rest in peace Sarah, you will be so missed.”

The Bottom Line:

“A woman has lost her life in an act of violence, and children have lost their mother, with their world changed forever,” noted SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter. “There is no grief more profound than that of a child robbed of the love, safety, and care of their mother.”

Go Deeper:

Though police have not given a motive for the crime, homicide remains one of the leading causes of death for pregnant women. According to research published by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in January 2025, between 2005 and 2022, 1,407 of 20,421 maternal deaths were due to homicide — accounting for approximately 7% of all causes of death.

Irish authorities have used the murder to call out the increase of overall violence against women in the country, noting that Montgomery is the 27th female murder victim in Northern Ireland since 2020.

“The majority of these woman have been killed in their own homes, which is a truly shocking and devastating figure,” said DUP North Down MLA Stephen Dunne.  “A home should be a place of refuge and safety, but sadly that is not always the case.”

According to police, both individuals “were known to the victim and at present, no-one else is being sought in connection with the crime.”

“This is an incredibly tragic case which has devastated Sarah’s family and friends, and leaves two small children without their beloved mum,” noted Detective Chief Inspector Tom Phillips.

“The loss of Sarah and her unborn baby boy is devastating for everyone who knew her,” a friend told reporters. “My heart especially breaks for her wee girls, her grandparents and her brothers; their loss is unimaginable. Rest in peace Sarah, you will be so missed.”

The Bottom Line:

“A woman has lost her life in an act of violence, and children have lost their mother, with their world changed forever,” noted SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter. “There is no grief more profound than that of a child robbed of the love, safety, and care of their mother.”

Go Deeper:

Though police have not given a motive for the crime, homicide remains one of the leading causes of death for pregnant women. According to research published by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in January 2025, between 2005 and 2022, 1,407 of 20,421 maternal deaths were due to homicide — accounting for approximately 7% of all causes of death.

Irish authorities have used the murder to call out the increase of overall violence against women in the country, noting that Montgomery is the 27th female murder victim in Northern Ireland since 2020.

“The majority of these woman have been killed in their own homes, which is a truly shocking and devastating figure,” said DUP North Down MLA Stephen Dunne.  “A home should be a place of refuge and safety, but sadly that is not always the case.”

Cassy Cooke