Family appeal for information as part of probe

Relatives of another woman drawn into the Dromore suspicious deaths probe have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Sep 2013, 21:34 BST
Northern Ireland- 21st August 2013 Police given another 36 hours to question a 66-year-old man from Dromore in relation the the suspicious deaths of three women in the Co. Down village over an 11 year period. The three women who died were: Michelle Bickerstaff, 47, in April last year, Margaret Weise, 50, in August 2007 and Elizabeth McKee, 52, known as Lily, who died in December 2002. Newspaper headlines in Dromore.Northern Ireland- 21st August 2013 Police given another 36 hours to question a 66-year-old man from Dromore in relation the the suspicious deaths of three women in the Co. Down village over an 11 year period. The three women who died were: Michelle Bickerstaff, 47, in April last year, Margaret Weise, 50, in August 2007 and Elizabeth McKee, 52, known as Lily, who died in December 2002. Newspaper headlines in Dromore.
Northern Ireland- 21st August 2013 Police given another 36 hours to question a 66-year-old man from Dromore in relation the the suspicious deaths of three women in the Co. Down village over an 11 year period. The three women who died were: Michelle Bickerstaff, 47, in April last year, Margaret Weise, 50, in August 2007 and Elizabeth McKee, 52, known as Lily, who died in December 2002. Newspaper headlines in Dromore.

Detectives have appealed for information on the death of Margaret Stronge, 58, known as Peggy, who was found dead in Moss Lane on July 10, 1982.

Elizabeth Dowds told how Peggy had been a cousin and close friend of her mother’s.

“I had an inkling this was coming.

I had heard about it last week,” she said.

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“If someone was responsible for Peggy’s death I would like to see them caught.

“If anyone has any information about what happened I would ask them to come forward to police.”

Ulster Unionist councillor Carol Black said that Peggy had one daughter and had worked in Warner lingerie factory on the Lurgan Road in the area.

Peggy’s death has been a strong talking point in the town since police arrested Leslie Ross, 66, nine days ago in connection with three other deaths.

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Last week police announced that the deaths of three other women in Dromore were being treated as suspicious.

Michelle Bickerstaff, 47, died last April; Margaret Weise, 50, was found dead in August 2007, while Lily McKee, 52, died in December 2002.

Stonemason Leslie Ross from Dromore has since been charged with the murders of Ms Bickerstaff and Ms Weise.

He was also charged with indecent assault, gross indecency with a child and indecently assaulting a female child between 1979 and 1990.

He vehemently denies all charges.

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A file on the death of Ms McKee has been passed to the Public Prosecution Service.

Information to be given to police on 028 3751 7329 from 9am-10pm, Monday-Friday or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Related topics:Dromore