Cher Simpson posted an appeal for prayers and love on her Facebook page as she paid tribute to the 43-year-old. "My beautiful kind-hearted sister Rachel Simpson died on Friday. We mourn a daughter, a sister and a cherished mother of three children,” she said.
“Loved by everyone who knew her. Heartache is not a feeling I have known until now. We ask for prayers and love as we navigate this as a Simpson family.
” It comes after Ms Simpson’s family released an image of the mother-of-three, who was found dead in her home on Friday. Her family also shared details of a service of love and remembrance for her. The service will be held on September 25 at Orangefield Presbyterian Church on Castlereagh Road in Belfast at 3pm.
It will be followed by a short service at Roselawn and then refreshments at La Mon Country House. Her sister said all who loved Rachel and the entire Simpson family are invited to attend and prayers are welcomed at this time. "In true Rach style we ask you all to wear some leopard print,” she added.
Ms Simpson’s body was discovered at Castlereagh Road on Friday, September 13. Police had been called to a house and discovered the victim in the garage of the property. Her , with an address given as Castlereagh Road, has been charged with her murder.
He appeared in court on Monday, with the defence solicitor telling the court he had only been released from prison a week earlier. He entered the dock wearing a grey custody tracksuit. When asked if he understood the allegations against him, Simpson replied: “Yes, your honour.
” As other members of the victim’s family watched on from the public gallery, an investigating detective sergeant said he could connect the accused to the murder charge. There was no application for bail, with the court told that there was no available bail address for the accused, who the court was told was released from custody seven days previously. No further details about the circumstances surrounding the alleged killing were disclosed during the brief hearing.
Defence solicitor Chris McCann did not question the detective or seek bail for his client due to the lack of any suitable address. Women’s Aid NI expressed their “sincere condolences” to the family of the 43-year-old last week – the third woman to be killed in a month in Northern Ireland. "Rachel is the 23rd woman to be killed in Northern Ireland since 2020.
She is the third woman killed in Northern Ireland within the past four weeks,” said a spokesperson for Women’s Aid NI. The news was “horrific”, they added, and called for anyone with any information to contact the PSNI. “If you have any information, no matter how small it may seem, that could assist the police with their investigation, please contact the PSNI by dialling 101.
Even the smallest detail could be important to the case.” The accused was remanded in custody to appear again via videolink on October 14. News Catch Up - Tuesday 17th September.
