THE sister of a woman who was killed in Antrim has started a petition to have the scene demolished.
Chloe Mitchell, 21, was killed in June 2023 and her remains were found in a flat in the James Street area of Ballymena.
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Chloe was reported missing and last seen alive in CCTV footage on June 3 before her body was discovered in the flat eight days later.
Brandon John Rainey, 27, formerly of James Street, Ballymena has been charged with her murder.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and attempting to prevent the lawful and decent burial of Chloe’s body when he appeared via video link in Belfast Crown Court.
Chloe’s sister Nadine has now started an online petition asking for the flat where her sister’s body was discovered to be demolished.
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She told the Belfast Telegraph that the flat is causing “distress” to family members who live nearby and have to pass the scene.
She said: “We have family members that live around the corner from the flat. They have to walk past it. There’s a smell coming out of the flat. It’s horrific, it’s horrendous.
“We have started this petition and have also started handing out leaflets. A lot of councillors are supporting it, because they’re the same; they want it down too.
“The support around the town has been absolutely amazing; there are people even further afield, in Belfast supporting. It’s been unbelievable.”
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Nadine added that her mother has not left the house since Chloe’s killing and that her room remains intact.
She said her mother still goes to sit in her daughter’s room.
Call for support
Sharing an image of the flat on the online petition titled ‘Demolish a flat in the James Street area of Harryville Ballymena’ Nadine directed the petition to the the Housing Executive.
She said both the local community and family want the flat demolished and called for support.
Nadine said: “Us as a family and Ballymena community along with further afield needs the flat demolished.
“The family is asking for everyone’s support in signing this petition to get the flat demolished.”
“It is causing a lot of distress to the family and community and Chloe’s parents.”
Local support
The petition already has nearly 1,400 signatures since it was set up less than 24 hours ago.
Words of support flooded in for Nadine and her family as signatories agreed that the flat should be demolished.
One said: “I think they should be brought down as soon as, so Chloe’s family doesn’t have to walk by them everyday and suffer as I’m sure life is hard enough for them.”
Another added: “No one in our community should have to look at this place.”
“Significant deliberation”
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive said in response to the petition that demolition of any property will require “significant deliberation”.
A spokesperson said: “As this property is part of a wider block, we would also need to consider the other adjoining properties and residents when considering the demolition of this flat.
“We have only just been made aware of the petition.We will take the views of its signatories on board when considering any future plans for the property.”
