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Northern Ireland Police launched a double murder investigation after the deaths of two women and a man in an apparent murder-suicide in North Belfast on Friday night.
It is understood that Ken Flanagan stabbed his mother Karen to death, then attacked and killed his girlfriend Stacey Knell before taking his own life.
Neighbors heard Karen, a mother of two, yell, “I’m dying, I’m dying, it’s my son!” while Flanagan stabbed her in an address on the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. He is then believed to have left his mother while she was dying and traveled to a nearby family estate on Glenville Road, where he stabbed his girlfriend Stacey Knell to death before taking his own life.
Flanagan’s mother, Karen, had posted on social media recently, praising her son for his battle with drug addiction, saying, “My handsome son, I love you unconditionally. If only you realized your self-worth. You are better than any of them. “
Authorities are known to have previously ordered Ken Flanagan to stay away from his mother’s home for his violent behavior. Neighbors from both directions in Co Antrim yesterday spoke of their shock and horror at the killings. A neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said: “I’m still in shock. It’s so horrible I can’t believe it. As a parent, it’s your worst nightmare. I would have seen Stacey around here with her puppy pee sometimes, it’s so sad.
“It’s really horrible, but there have always been problems in that little house. Generally, it’s very quiet around here, apart from that place.”
Stacey Knell, mother of one, is survived by a nine-year-old daughter, while Karen Flanagan is also survived by a daughter.
The double murder-suicide has left the community reeling, and political representatives say the incident highlighted the scourge of violence against women.
North Belfast MP John Finucane said people had been “absolutely shocked and stunned” by the news.
He added: “My first thoughts are with the family and friends of the women who were brutally murdered last night.
“It is important to keep in mind that grieving families are at the heart of this tragedy.
“These brutal killings highlight once again the need to oppose all violence against women and the need for a strategy of violence against women and girls in the north.”
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Jim Montgomery, echoed Finucane’s sentiments, posting on Twitter: “A very sad incident that has created such a stir among so many. My thoughts go out to the families involved who are suffering such loss and those they have to pick up the pieces after this tragedy. “
Antrim and Newtownabbey Deputy Mayor, SDLP Councilor Noreen McClelland added: “My thoughts and prayers this morning go out to the friends and family of the two women who were brutally murdered last night.
“Once again it appears that two women have lost their lives in a violent attack. How many more women have to die before our Executive takes action to address gender-based violence?”
Officers were alerted shortly before 11 p.m. Friday night following a report of a stabbing on Derrycoole Way, Rathcoole, where Karen Flanagan was found dead.
A short time later, police discovered Ken Flanagan and Stacey Knell dead on a property on Glenville Road just under two miles away.
Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell said police and NIAS ambulance crews had responded to an emergency call shortly before 11 p.m. Friday. He said: “Just after 10.55pm on Friday night, police received a report of a stabbing at a residential property in the Derrycoole Way area. Officers attended, along with colleagues from NIAS. Sadly, a woman was declared dead.
“While officers conducted further investigations, they went to a residential property in the Glenville Road area. An unconscious man was located on the property. Despite the provision of first aid, the man was pronounced dead. Upon searching the property, another deceased woman was located.
“While we have launched a murder investigation, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with these incidents, which we believe are related. We urge anyone with any information that may assist our investigation to contact 101 and quote the number reference 2441 of 03/19/21 “.
Independent Sunday
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