Murder inquiry into death of 'much-loved' grandma

A murder investigation is under way following the death of an 81-year-old woman in Bangor.

Patricia "Patsy" Aust, a retired teacher, was found dead at a house in Hawthorne Court in the County Down city on Sunday.

An 85-year-old man remains in police custody on suspicion of murder. Police said they were not seeking anyone else in relation to the investigation.

The minister of the church Ms Aust attended said the whole family were a much-loved part of a very tight-knit community.

Mark Johnston, from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, said: "It’s been totally devastating. We’re still struggling to get our head around it."

Mr Johnson said Ms Aust regularly took her young grandson to the church's community outreach events.

She was also involved in youth ministries within the church.

"Everybody is totally shocked and devastated because Patsy and her whole family are much loved and much cared for," the minister said.

He added that Ms Aust had recently lost her son, who died in September 2023.

"Patsy has continued to keep going, doing all that she can to care for her family, especially her grandson, in the midst of very difficult times," Mr Johnston said.

In the hope of providing some solace to Ms Aust's friends, neighbours and loved ones, the church is opening its doors to the community from 19:00 BST.

"We’re very conscious that folk, particularly around where Patsy’s family have been based have been really traumatised by this - we all have," he said.

"We can’t get our heads around it and so if anybody wants to pop down, we’ll be here to pray with them, to listen, to chat, just to be together."

Police received a report of a death of a woman at about 17:30 BST on 2 June.

On arrival, officers found the body of a woman in the living room of the house.