Murder of Michaela McAreavey

Michaela McAreavey (née Harte) born 31 December 1983 was murdered on 10 January 2011, while she was on honeymoon in Mauritius. She was found strangled to death in her hotel room.^[1] Her death prompted international media coverage and a personal apology from Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam to her family.^[2]

Victim

Michaela McAreavey, née Michaela Harte (born 31 December 1983), was a 27-year-old Irish language teacher from Glencull (Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland) and the daughter of Tyrone gaelic football manager Mickey Harte.^[3]

Murder

At around 15:40, on 10 January 2011, Michaela left her husband, John McAreavey, to return to her hotel room at the Legends Hotel in Grand Gaube. The weather outside in the hospitality area was hot and humid. She had left a box of chocolate covered biscuits in the refrigerator and had returned to the room to retrieve it for tea. Investigators believe she was wrestled to the ground on entering her room, and strangled. She was put into the bath tub and the water was turned on. This may have been an attempt to obfuscate the true cause of death.^[4] Her body was discovered by her husband soon after.^[5]

Investigation

Three male Mauritian employees of the hotel were arrested for the murder: Avinash Treebhoowoon, Sandip Moneea and Raj Theekoy.^[6] They appeared in court in Mauritius on 12 January 2011.^[7] Treebhoowoon and Mooneea were charged with McAreavey's murder and Theeko with conspiracy to murder.^[8] DNA tests were taken on the suspects.^[9] Dassen Narraien,^[10] and Seenarain Mungoo were arrested the following week and charged with charge of aiding and abetting a crime.^[11] Narraien and Mungoo were both security officers at the hotel.^[11] Mungoo was released and had all charges against him dropped on 12 February 2011.^[12]

Funeral

McAreavey's funeral, which took place on 17 January 2011 at the same church where she was married (St Malachy's, Ballymacilroy), less than one month before, was attended by thousands of mourners, including the President of Ireland Mary McAleese, First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.^[13] Mourners from both nationalist and loyalist communities paid their respects and offered condolences.^[14]

Media coverage

The death of Michaela McAreavey attracted much media attention both in Ireland and in Britain.^[15]

References

1. ^ "Michaela's body arrives home". UTV News. 14 January 2011. http://www.u.tv/News/Michaelas-body-arrives-home/607727b9-f1b0-4409-9f42-391dc67d3965. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
2. ^ McDonald, Henry (14 January 2011). "Body of murdered Michaela McAreavey arrives home". guardian.co.uk. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/14/michaela-mcareavey-murder-mauritian-pm. Retrieved 26 January 2011. 
3. ^ "Harte tragedy: Michaela was a picture perfect Rose, says RTE's Ryan Tubridy". Belfast Telegraph. 12 January 2011. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/harte-tragedy-michaela-was-a-picture-perfect-rose-says-rtes-ryan-tubridy-15052002.html. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
4. ^ "Harte tragedy: Skin found under Michaela's nails crucial to case". Belfast Telegraph. 13 January 2011. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/harte-tragedy-skin-found-under-michaelas-nails-crucial-to-case-15053053.html. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
5. ^ "Michaela McAreavey honeymoon murder: Husband John pays tribute as 3 men charged". Mail Online. 13 January 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1346353/Michaela-McAreavey-honeymoon-murder-Husband-John-pays-tribute-3-men-charged.html. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
6. ^ "Mauritius honeymoon murder: hotel workers in court". guardian.co.uk (Guardian News and Media). 14 January 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/12/mauritius-honeymoon-murder-hotel-workers. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
7. ^ "Harte tragedy: Hotel workers in court over paradise island honeymoon death". Belfast Telegraph. 13 January 2011. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/harte-tragedy-hotel-workers-in-court-over-paradise-island-honeymoon-death-15052210.html. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
8. ^ "Harte tragedy: John tells of anguish as trio face Michaela murder charges". Belfast Telegraph. 13 January 2011. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/harte-tragedy-john-tells-of-anguish-as-trio-face-michaela-murder-charges-15053057.html. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
9. ^ "Police await DNA tests in McAreavey murder case". AFP. Google News. 14 January 2011. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iHqrmPwRe5aMf3n_I98VRHyZNP2g?docId=CNG.c485f47fd1d1fc48394c978636ac7e60.be1. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
10. ^ "Mauritius honeymoon murder: hotel workers in court". guardian.co.uk (Guardian News and Media). 14 January 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/12/mauritius-honeymoon-murder-hotel-workers. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
11. ^ ^{a b} "Fifth man arrested over Michaela McAreavey murder". BBC News. 19 January 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12232803. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
12. ^ "Man released over Michaela McAreavey death". Belfast Telegraph. 12 February 2011. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/man-released-over-michaela-mcareavey-death-15082070.html. Retrieved 31 May 2011. 
13. ^ "Michaela's family 'robbed by evil act'". UTV News. 17 January 2011. http://www.u.tv/news/Michaelas-family-robbed-by-evil-act/ecf4fec7-c5b1-4f6e-b08b-a8872e122bbb. Retrieved 26 January 2011. 
14. ^ "Michaela McAreavey's murder brings former loyalist leader to GAA heartland". Belfast Telegraph. 22 January 2011. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/how-michaela-mcareaveyrsquos-murder-brought-a-loyalist-leader-into-gaa-heartland-15061199.html. Retrieved 26 January 2011. 
15. ^ "Mauritius Honeymoon Murder: Husband of Michaela McAreavey Says He Is 'Totally Devastated'". Sky News. BSkyB. 12 January 2011. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Mauritius-Honeymoon-Murder-Three-Hotel-Workers-Charged-Over-Michaela-McAreavey-Killing/Article/201101215892907?f=rss. Retrieved 18 January 2011.