Murder of Michaela McAreavey
Michaela McAreavey | |
|---|---|
Michaela Harte celebrating Tyrone's win in the 2003 All-Ireland SFC final with brother Matthew (left) and father Mickey, manager of the team (centre) | |
| Born | Michaela Harte 31 December 1983 Glencull, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland |
| Died | 10 January 2011 (aged 27) Grand Gaube, Rivière du Rempart District, Mauritius |
| Cause of death | Strangulation |
| Alma mater | St Mary's University College, Belfast Queen's University Belfast |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Employer | St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon |
| Known for | Association with the Tyrone Gaelic football team, Participation in The Rose of Tralee, |
| Spouse | John McAreavey |
| Parent(s) | Mickey and Marian Harte |
On 10 January 2011, Michaela McAreavey, a 27‑year‑old teacher from Northern Ireland, was found strangled in the bathroom of her hotel room in Mauritius while on her honeymoon. Her killing and the subsequent investigation attracted sustained international media attention. It was reported as the first murder of a tourist in Mauritius, prompting expressions of sympathy from the Mauritian Prime Minister, Navin Ramgoolam. Two hotel employees were later tried for her murder and were acquitted by the Supreme Court of Mauritius on 12 July 2012. The handling of the investigation drew significant criticism, including allegations of police misconduct and disputes over the reliability of the evidence. Public anger intensified in July 2012 when a Mauritian newspaper published crime‑scene photographs of McAreavey's body, leading to diplomatic protests from Ireland. Further inquiries were launched in the years that followed, and the case has remained the subject of ongoing police investigation and international attention.