It has emerged that Michaela McAreavey, daughter of Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte, may be have killed while on honeymoon in Mauritius.
The 27-year-old, who recently married Down footballer John McAreavey, was found dead in her room at the Legends Hotel in the village of Grand Gaube today.
Bishop of Dromore John McAreavey, who officiated at the marriage of Michaela and his nephew John a fortnight ago, tonight spoke about her tragic death.
Speaking to reporters in Banbridge, Co Down, Dr Mc Areavey said: ‘I have a sense tonight that a light has gone out with the death of Michaela.
‘I'm so sad for my nephew John; he adored her and spoke with such warmth about her. He loved everything about her.’
Asked about the circumstances of Michaela's death, Dr McAreavey said there are a large number of unanswered questions about it.
‘She was a young, vibrant, healthy woman,’ he said.
‘She was not, as far as I am aware, subject to any disease or illness of any kind. Time will tell, we are hoping that the questions surrounding her death will be answered.'
Asked if he has suspicions that his nephew's wife had been killed, Dr McAreavey said: ‘We fear something happened. We have still so many unanswered questions.
‘We are still upset that she is dead and we are struggling to come to terms with that. We are like everyone else hoping that the questions surrounding her death will be answered. We are hoping that in time the position will become clearer.’
Michaela and John McAreavey were married at St Malachy's Church, Ballymacilroy, Co Tyrone, on 30 December 2010.
Michaela was a secondary teacher in the Irish Department at Saint Patrick's Academy in Dungannon, Co Tyrone. She was also a former Rose of Tralee contestant.
Police in Mauritius say a post mortem will be carried out on the body at 9am local time tomorrow.
A spokesman for the hotel said her husband was extremely shocked and was being comforted by staff and police.
The spokesman said staff at the hotel did not know what had happened, other than that help had been sought and a local hospital contacted.
Mrs McAreavey had then been taken to the hospital.
A joint statement issued by Mickey Harte and Dr McAreavey today said: 'We wish to confirm that we have received confirmation this afternoon that Michaela, married on December 30 2010 to John McAreavey, was killed today in Mauritius where the couple were on honeymoon.
'We ask for prayers for Michaela, John and their families and loved ones.
'Both families are deeply shocked and devastated by this tragic news and they ask for privacy and space at this time of profound grief.'
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said: 'We are providing consular assistance to the family of an Irish citizen who passed away in Mauritius.'
Friends of Mr Harte said tonight the Tyrone manager and his wife Marian worshipped their daughter.
Journalist Adrian Logan, a former sports presenter with UTV, said: 'Mickey adored her. He was totally devoted. He just thought the world of her.'
Michaela was at her father's side the three times his team won the All-Ireland championship at Croke Park, Dublin, in 2003, 2005 and 2008.
Mr Logan added: 'He refused to do any post-match interviews after those games until she stood beside him. That's how much she meant to him. She was his number one fan.'
Michaela was the only daughter of Mickey and Marian Harte. She had three brothers, Mark, Michael and Matthew.
The Tyrone County Board has said it was 'shocked and greatly saddened' to learn of Ms Harte's death.
'Michaela and indeed the wider Harte family of Marian, Mark, Michael and Matthew have been very closely associated with the present senior football team since Mickey took over as Tyrone minor manager in 1991,' a statement from the board said.
'It is difficult for us to comprehend the devastation that her new husband John and the Harte family must be feeling at this time.
'This tragedy will be sorely felt throughout the Tyrone GAA family and on behalf of our players, officials and members in Tyrone, and around the world we wish to express our deepest sympathy to John, Mickey, Marian, Mark, Michael and Matthew.
'Ar lámh dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam uasail.'
