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Identification of remains in Chloe Mitchell case ongoing

Chloe Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday 3 June in Ballymena town centre
Chloe Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday 3 June in Ballymena town centre

Police in Co Antrim investigating the murder of Chloe Mitchell have said a post-mortem examination on human remains found in Ballymena has concluded.

However, a detective has said that the process of identifying the remains is ongoing.

Ms Mitchell, 21, was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Saturday 3 June in Ballymena town centre.

A huge search operation took place in the town following her disappearance.

Detectives launched a murder inquiry after suspected human remains were found on Sunday 11 June.

Vigils to remember Ms Mitchell were held in her home town and in Belfast last week.

Providing an update on the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Millar said: "The post-mortem on human remains found in Ballymena on Sunday June 11 has now concluded.

"The identification process is still ongoing."

Meanwhile, a man charged with assisting an offender over the death of Ms Mitchell has been remanded in custody for a further two weeks.

Ryan Johnston Gordon, 34, from Nursery Close, Ballymena, appeared at the town's Magistrates' Court for a brief hearing today.

A barrister for the defendant told the court there was no application for bail at this time.

Mr Gordon, who appeared by videolink from Maghaberry Prison, was remanded in custody until 6 July.

Another man, Brandon John Rainey, 26, from James Street in Ballymena, has appeared in court charged with the murder of Ms Mitchell.