UK - William Pat McCormick, 55, murdered, Comber, 30 May 2019 *arrests*

[HayLouise]

I am going to be nosey and ask where you are as Pat lives only 5 miles from me

I’m Newtownards!

 

[HayLouise]

Police searches are currently underway in Comber town centre as part of their ongoing investigation into the disappearance and murder of Pat McCormick

Cool FM News on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Police are carrying out searches in the town centre of Comber in Co Down as part of their ongoing investigation into the disappearance and murder of William ‘Pat’ McCormick.


More here: Police searches in Comber amid ongoing murder probe

UTV Live News on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

10 June 2019:

Police searches in Comber amid ongoing murder probe

Police are carrying out searches in the town centre of Comber in Co Down as part of their ongoing investigation into the disappearance and murder of William ‘Pat’ McCormick.

The 55-year-old married father-of-four has been missing since 30 May.

Police have previously said that the family, including Mr McCormick’s elderly parents, are devastated and that they at least want to be able to have some closure in knowing what has happened to him.

Police searches in Comber amid ongoing murder probe

 

[Heathyheath_]

Resident of Newtownards reporting in as well, what a small world it is that we live in. It feels surreal to see somebody who was born here featured on this website.

I think it’s pretty telling that very quickly the police declared this case as a murder investigation despite the lack of body. I’d assume that what’s holding back on some charges is the fact they can’t find him, which is surprising for me because our surrounding areas aren’t exactly deep and endless, I really thought Pat would be found by now Absolutely tragic. The fact there’s a kidnapping charge added makes me wonder if it was all done for money, that would make this even more senseless

 

[HayLouise]

New video from PSNI:

PSNI Ards

 

[HayLouise]

13th June 2019:

Pat McCormick murder: Strangford Lough search to start

Police investigating the suspected murder of Pat McCormick are to search a lake in the wetlands beside Strangford Lough.

The latest phase of their investigation will begin on Friday.

Det Ch Insp Peter Montgomery said police now have new information about the disappearance of the 55-year-old father of four.

He said around 100 people were spoken to at 130 premises, with thousands of hours of CCTV footage gathered.

Strangford Lough search for Pat McCormick

 

[HayLouise]

Det Ch Insp Montgomery added: "We will be carrying out an underwater search with a specialist team in Castle Espie Wetlands.

"On Saturday we will be carrying out a significant route search in the Comber area with the help of the Community Rescue Team. I have also consulted with the national lead for missing person at the National crime Agency for specialist advice.

"I appreciate the community are keen to help but I would ask that police and specialist search advisors are left to conduct the searches.

"It is now two weeks' on from Pat's disappearance and his family remain absolutely devastated. They deserve to know what has happened to him and deserve to have his body back."

Strangford Lough search for Pat McCormick

 

[HayLouise]

Latest on Pat McCormick murder from Chief Reporter @damien_edgar7


- 137 searches, thousands of hours of CCTV


- Underwater searches to start at Castle Espie tomorrow


- Police want to speak to anyone who saw someone carrying something from Castle St flats on Friday 31 May

(Video)

Downtown Radio News on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

13 June 2019:

Police uncover 'significant new evidence' in William McCormick murder investigation

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Montgomery made the revelation at a police press conference on Thursday.

Mr McCormick, who is known as Pat, was last seen walking down Castle Street in Comber at around 10.45pm on May 30.

The 55-year-old's disappearance was changed to a murder inquiry after police reviewed the evidence.

Detective Chief Inspector Montgomery said that police had visited 137 premises and retrieved CCTV from each.

He said in some premises police had downloaded up to 96 hours of footage.

The Detective Chief Inspector revealed that police had conducted 15 searches in Comber and spoke to around 100 people which had also provided new evidence.

He said that police were still trying to locate Mr McCormick's clothes, his iPhone SE and his Ben Sherman watch.

Police uncover 'significant new evidence' in William McCormick murder investigation - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

 

[HayLouise]

Detective Chief Inspector McCormick said there would be a significant police operation in the coming days, including road stops on Thursday evening in Comber, handing out leaflets and appealing to the public for further information.

Police will also be conducting further searches, an underwater search team will conduct searches in the Castle Espie wet lands area on Friday and on Saturday there will be a significant route search in the Comber area with police and community rescue teams.

Detective Chief Inspector McCormick thanked the local community for all their support but asked that police and rescue teams be allowed to conduct the searches alone.

"I have consulted with the national lead for missing person at the National crime Agency for specialist advice," the Detective Chief Inspector said.

Police uncover 'significant new evidence' in William McCormick murder investigation - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

 

[HayLouise]

"It's been two weeks now since Pat has disappeared and his family are absolute devestated. They deserve to know what has happened to him.

"I'm making a direct appeal to those responsible, I have no doubt that in your life you have faced grief and buried love ones, I want you to think of Pat's family."

Detective Chief Inspector McCormick also made a number of direct appeals.

"Where you in Comber on Friday the 31st of May from 7am, specifically did you walk or drive into the car park at the rear of Castle Street, High Street?," he asked.

"This car park is adjacent to Supervalu and includes the Comber Pharmacy and LG's Fish and Chip shop.

"Did you see anyone in this car park acting suspiciously? I want you to cast your mind back to that morning. Did you see anyone walk from the flats on Castle Street into this car park via a wooden gate, carrying anything. Now that's very specific.

"If you were in that car park, in a car, if you have dashcam, please come forward and speak to the detectives.

"If you live in the Comber area, especially the Newtownards Road, Killinchy Road, the Ballygowan Road and the Belfast Road areas and you have your own private CCTV systems please make contact with my investigating officers."

Police uncover 'significant new evidence' in William McCormick murder investigation - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

 

[HayLouise]

Photo of the watch similar to the one Mr McCormick owned:



Police uncover 'significant new evidence' in William McCormick murder investigation - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

 

[HayLouise]

13 June 2019:

POLICE TO SEARCH STRANGFORD LOUGH WETLANDS FOR PAT MCCORMICK



Police in Comber will be handing out leaflets and stopping motorists in the town tonight, as part of efforts to find Pat McCormick

The father of four disappeared on Thursday the 30th of May, and police believe he has been murdered.

[...]

• On the night of Pat’s disappearance, he was wearing a beige jacket, blue jeans and brown brogue shoes. If you come across disguarded clothing matching this description - or Pat’s phone, an iphone SE which hasn’t been used since May 30th -please contact police.

• I am now also looking for Pat’s Ben Sherman watch with brown strap with a black face.

Police to search Strangford Lough wetlands for Pat McCormick

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Have we sussed out whether these flats are where Pat lived? I'm guessing there must be signs of his death in there and they're trying to work out who removed his body?

 

[HayLouise]

Underwater search to begin for Pat McCormick

 

[HayLouise]

Have we sussed out whether these flats are where Pat lived? I'm guessing there must be signs of his death in there and they're trying to work out who removed his body?

Edited - I’m wrong - Pat lived in Ballynahinch:

Dad-of-four Pat left his parents house in Ballynahinch

Pat McCormick murder probe: CCTV of dad's last sighting released

 

[HayLouise]

The solo diver taking part in searches for 55 year-old Pat McCormick from Comber communicates back to his land team that visibility isn’t great under water at this quarry like area at Castle Espie Wetlands.

(Video)

Hannah Spratt on Twitter

 

[HayLouise]

Some information on castle espie, I can’t believe they are actually searching here, I take my little boy here all the time

Castle Espie Wetland Centre | WWT

WWT Castle Espie
78 Ballydrain Rd, Comber, Newtownards BT23 6EA
028 9187 4146
Google Maps

 

[HayLouise]

Dramatic scenes in Castle Espie Wetlands as divers begin fresh underwater search for missing father of four Pat McCormick, the Comber man went missing from a flat two weeks ago, searches expected to last at least an hour



Tara McLaughlin on Twitter