The 28-year-old suspect is charged with killing 27-year-old pregnant mother Sarah Montgomery in Donaghadee

Grief gripped the quiet seaside town of Donaghadee on Tuesday as the community paid tribute to Sarah Montgomery, a 27-year-old pregnant mother who was allegedly murdered in her own home. A man has now been charged with her killing, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit County Down town.

Montgomery, a mother of two and expecting a third child—a baby boy—was found with serious injuries at a flat in the Elmfield Walk area on Saturday. She later died, and with her, the unborn child she was eagerly preparing to welcome into the world.

On Tuesday, police charged a 28-year-old man with her murder, as well as with child destruction, a rarely applied charge that recognises the loss of her unborn son. The accused is expected to appear before Newtownards Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.

The flat where Montgomery was found has become a shrine of sorrow and remembrance. Mourners continued to arrive on Tuesday, laying bouquets and handwritten notes outside the entrance. Children’s toys, candles, and teddy bears lined the pavement—a silent echo of the life and joy once lived inside.

Sarah’s friend and former neighbour, Rosemarie Sim, described the young mother as a “lovely angel” who had touched the lives of everyone around her. Fighting back tears, she said, “It breaks my heart to know that something so vicious can happen to such a lovely angel. All I can think about is the two children who are left now.”

Rosemarie recalled years of friendship between the Montgomery and Sim families. “My sister and I lived next door to Sarah and her family for years. I watched them grow up—Sarah and her brothers. Her mum and dad were good friends with my parents. It’s just such a tragic loss to the community. She will be sorely missed.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) launched a murder investigation shortly after the incident was reported. Forensic teams combed the scene while officers conducted door-to-door enquiries. Detectives have not yet disclosed details about the nature of the injuries or the motive behind the alleged killing.

Locals in Donaghadee say they are struggling to come to terms with the loss. A woman who brought flowers to the scene with her daughter said, “She was so young and so kind. Always had a smile, always with her children. This doesn’t feel real.”

Community leaders echoed the grief. A local councillor called Montgomery’s death “a devastating loss,” while urging anyone with information to cooperate with police.

The charges come amid rising concern over violence against women in Northern Ireland. Advocacy groups have called for greater protections for pregnant women and increased support for surviving children of domestic violence victims.

Meanwhile, Sarah’s family are preparing for her funeral—an unimaginable task made even more painful by the loss of both a daughter and a grandson. Her two children, now motherless, are being cared for by relatives.

As the legal process begins, the community of Donaghadee remains united in mourning. Friends and strangers alike continue to stop by Elmfield Walk to pay their respects. For many, Sarah Montgomery’s death is not just a tragedy—it is a cruel reminder of how quickly a life can be stolen and a family shattered.