Dead woman had city links

It has emerged that a man has been charged by police in Hong Kong with the murder of Janet Gilson, aged 64, who was found at her niece’s property on Lamma Island on Saturday. It is understood the arrested man is the estranged husband of the victim’s niece.

Ms Gilson had only recently as a Salvation Army officer, and had formerly been based at the Salvation Army HQ in Belfast, but often travelled to Londonderry and was a familiar and popular Salvationist in the city, Ms Gilson had been reported missing three days earlier by her niece, however, police in Hong Kong would not confirm the identify of the suspect except to say he was an “expatriate”.

He was arrested on Saturday and was due to appear in Eastern Magistrates’ Court on Hong Kong Island yesterday, Tuesday.

It is believed that Ms Gilson suffered head injuries but, again, police could not confirm if she had died from them.

She had arrived in Hong Kong on March 6 and was last seen on Tuesday of last week in the village of Tai Yuen.

In a statement Major Carol Bailey, who is a regional manager for the Salvation Army, said: “She was a deeply spiritual woman and was highly respected and loved by all those with whom she came into contact.”

Meanwhile, Major Alan Watters, Leader of The Salvation Army in Ireland described the late Major Gilson in glowing terms:

“Major Janet Gilson was a full time Christian minister in The Salvation Army church for 38 years, from 1969 to 2007, and during that time she had been a church leader, worked with young people, and served at national and regional headquarters across the UK and Ireland. Janet also served in Russia when The Salvation Army’s work there was just reopening.

“Many will remember Janet’s time in the Ireland Division when she served as Divisional Youth Secretary between 1979 and 1981. She worked closely with the young people in Salvation Army churches across Ireland including those in the Londonderry Corps, encouraging them and speaking at Sunday meetings. Her Christian faith shone through everything she did and she influenced many, many people with her Christian witness, her friendship and her happy personality. Salvationists and friends in Ireland were blessed to have her serve alongside us, and we offer our deepest sympathy and love to her family at this time.

“The news of her death has shocked everyone, particularly those of us who knew and loved her. This is understandably a difficult time for Janet’s close friends and family and we invite everyone to pray for Janet and her family and friends and ask for continued respect for their privacy,” he said.