A man found dead in the boot of a car was the victim of a frenzied knife attack, police in Northern Ireland have said.
Kyle Neil (20) was stabbed multiple times before his body was dumped in the rear of the Ford Fiesta and left in south Belfast.
A 26-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman, both of whom were known to the victim, have been arrested and are currently being questioned by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
Det Chief Insp John McVea, who is leading the murder investigation, said: “Kyle and the persons who have been arrested are known to each other.
“I would describe this as a very frenzied attack and would confirm that a knife has been used and that Kyle has been stabbed a number of times.”
The 23-year-old from north Belfast had been socialising with friends at Church Gate apartments in the Mill Street area of Comber, Co Down on Saturday.
It is understood a fight broke out when the celebrations ended.
Mr McVea said: “We know that a party had been taking place on Saturday at the address in the apartments and the party had ended in the late Saturday evening.
“Sometime after that party had ended a fight broke out between the suspect and the victim.
“It was a small house party; a barbecue out the rear of the apartment. Small numbers of friends were involved.
“There is no indication of drugs involved at this stage but I do know that alcohol has been consumed throughout the day.”
Blue Ford Fiesta
It is understood the blue Ford Fiesta, registration HJZ 2135, was driven to Islandhill car park on the shore of Strangford Lough between Comber and Newtownards, Co Down sometime before it was left at Windsor Road in south Belfast at about 7am.
Mr McVea said: “The two people that have been arrested, we believe have driven the car from the address in Comber to Windsor Road in Belfast.
“The two persons were arrested at Windsor Road in south Belfast.”
The full extent of Mr Neil’s injuries cannot be confirmed until a post mortem examination has been carried out, the PSNI said.
However, detectives have ruled out the involvement of paramilitaries and are not linking the murder to an assault involving a neighbour for which Mr Neil was arrested last week.
Mr McVea said: “His family are indeed devastated. Kyle is survived by a three-year-old daughter, which is particularly sad.”
Detectives are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the Ford Fiesta as it made its way from Comber to Belfast.
They are also keen to trace Mr Neil’s movements throughout Saturday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the PSNI at Newtownards.
PA