A young man has been charged with the murder of his mother in East Belfast.
Nathan Simpson, aged 21, of Castlereagh Road appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court today.
The body of 43-year-old Rachel Simpson was discovered in a garage beside a property in the Castlereagh Road area on Friday night.
Her son, Nathan Simpson, was arrested at the scene.
Rachel Simpson is the 23rd woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020. She is the third woman murdered in Northern Ireland within the past four weeks.
The stark figures were shared by Women’s Aid NI in a tribute to the victim.
“Women’s Aid NI wish to express our sincerest condolences to the loved ones of Rachel Simpson following the horrific news of her murder in east Belfast. Please know our thoughts are with you all at this incredibly difficult time.”
The charity called for anyone with any information to contact the PSNI or Crimestoppers.