Murder investigation launched after assault victim dies

A woman has died in hospital from injuries sustained in an assault in Lisburn last month, sparking a murder investigation.

Police say 32-year-old Venezuelan national Natasha Melendez died on Wednesday night.

She had been assaulted at a property in the Finch Gardens area of Lisburn on Sunday 22 March.

Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Shaw, from the PSNI’s Major Investigations Team, said: “Natasha Melendez, formerly from Venezuela, was subject to a serious assault last month and was being treated in hospital for her injuries.

“Sadly, she has now died and my thoughts today are with her parents and wider family circle.”

A 30-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who were arrested in connection with Ms Melendez’s death have been released pending further investigation.

DCI Shaw said: “I would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Finch Gardens area of Lisburn on 22 March to contact police on 101.”