Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team, investigating the murder and disappearance of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell from Ballymena, have charged two men to court.
A 26-year-old man has been charged with murder. Meanwhile, a 34-year-old man has been charged with assisting offenders.
Both men are due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning, 12th June. As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
The Police Service of Norrhern Ireland confirmed on Sunday evening, 11th June, that a murder enquiry had been launched following the "discovery of suspected human remains in Ballymena".
Speaking on Sunday night, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Millar said:
"Sadly today detectives have recovered suspected human remains in Ballymena, and while there has been no formal identification, we have now launched a murder enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell, who was a high risk missing person.
"Earlier this week we launched a criminal investigation into Chloe's disappearance. Tragically, we now have reason to believe that Chloe was murdered.
"Our thoughts this evening are very much with Chloe's family and we have specialist officers providing them with support at this heart-breaking time.
"I would like to thank the community in Ballymena and the Search and Rescue teams for their help in trying to find Chloe.
"Two men, aged 26 and 34, remain in police custody helping police with their enquiries.
"Further details will follow in due course."
Meanwhile North Antrim MLA Robin Swann, and his Ulster Unionist Party colleague, Ballymena Councillor Colin Crawford have called on the entire community “to continue to rally around the Mitchell family circle as it has emerged that the disappearance of 21-year-old Chloe has now become a murder enquiry”.
In a joint statement, the two UUP elected representativres said:
“This is heartbreaking news for the Mitchell family and the Harryville community.
“Our thanks go to the Community Rescue Service, the Police and all those who have helped and supported the family in the past number of days.
“Anyone who can assist the police should contact them at the numbers provided."
Police continue to appeal for information on the murder of Chloe Mitchell. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives on 101 and quote reference number 2262 of 05/06/23
Alternatively, you can submit information and/or upload videos, images and dash cam footage onto the Major Incident Public Portal on:
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers.uk.org.