THE POLICE in Derry yesterday launched a murder investigation after the battered body of a mother of four was found in her home in the Shantallow area of the city.
Jean Quigley, who was six months pregnant with her fifth child, was beaten to death in the upstairs bedroom of her home at Cornshell Fields. Her body was found at 8.45pm on Saturday and the police believe she could have been murdered up to 24 hours before the discovery.
Yesterday neighbours, none of whom wanted to be named, described Ms Quigley as a quiet person who was totally dedicated to her children.
Her children, Jordan, Dylan, Cole and Shanice, are aged from four to 12 years of age.
“Jean had been in a long-term relationship with her partner but they separated about last Christmas and she was in a relationship with another man. We just can’t believe this has happened to her,” one neighbour said.
Another neighbour said she didn’t know if the murder victim’s four children were in the house at the time of the killing.
“Normally the children would stay with their father at weekends but not always. I couldn’t believe it when I came home last night and saw the police all over the street and then to be told the news of Jean’s murder,” she said.
Shantallow SDLP Cllr Shaun Gallagher, who is chairman of the local District Policing Partnership, said he was appalled by the murder.
“I don’t want to go into the details for obvious reasons but this woman died an horrific death. The person or persons responsible for this murder must be caught and for that to happen anyone with any information should pass that information on to the police,” he said.