In the early hours of Monday, September 15, 2025, a quiet stretch of Wardsborough Road in Lisburn became the center of a major police operation after a 42-year-old man was discovered with serious injuries inside an apartment building. What began as a routine call for medical assistance quickly escalated into a murder investigation, marking another tragic entry in a year that has seen a worrying rise in violent deaths across Northern Ireland.
According to multiple sources, including BBC News NI and Belfast Live, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service contacted the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) just before 1:00 a.m. Officers rushed to the scene, where they found the man gravely injured. Despite receiving immediate medical attention on-site, he was transported to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that morning.
Shortly after the incident, police arrested a 38-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man on suspicion of murder. Both suspects remain in custody, assisting detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team with their inquiries. As the investigation unfolds, the community of Lisburn has been met with an increased police presence and cordons around the apartment block, a visible reminder of the gravity of the situation.
Detective Inspector Jill Angus, leading the investigation, spoke candidly about the early stage of the inquiry. "Although our investigation is at an early stage, we are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the man’s death and to determine exactly what happened," she told reporters, as quoted by Belfast Live. She emphasized that officers are conducting further inquiries in the Wardsborough area, and that the public should expect to see a significant police presence as detectives gather evidence and interview witnesses.
Inspector Angus also made a direct appeal to the public for help: "I would appeal to anyone who may have information that could assist us, to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 29 15/09/25. Alternatively, you can also submit a report or information online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/." Her call underscores the importance of community cooperation in resolving such cases, particularly when details remain scarce in the early days of an investigation.
As the day wore on, the impact of the tragedy rippled through the local community. Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Lynch expressed his condolences on behalf of the city, describing the incident as "tragic." In a statement to BBC News NI, Lynch said, "My thoughts go out to the family and friends of the victim." He urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing, "I would urge anyone with information about this tragic incident to bring it forward to the PSNI." Lynch’s words reflect the collective sense of loss and the hope that justice will be served.
The police cordons and the sight of patrol cars outside the apartment building on Monday night were a stark reminder of the violence that had shattered the peace of Wardsborough Road. For many residents, the incident was a jolt—a reminder that even in a city like Lisburn, tragedy can strike without warning.
This latest killing brings the number of people murdered in Northern Ireland in 2025 to 14, according to Belfast Live. Even more alarming, 11 of those deaths have occurred in just the last 12 weeks. The murder follows closely on the heels of another high-profile case: the killing of 40-year-old Chrissy Burns earlier this month in County Armagh. Burns was found dead on September 4 with severe head and facial injuries, and a 39-year-old man has been charged in connection with that case.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has expressed deep concern over the recent spike in violent deaths. In remarks reported by Belfast Live, Boutcher stated, "Too many families are now grieving and attempting to come to terms with the appalling loss of a loved one in shocking circumstances." He acknowledged the strain placed on police resources, noting, "Due to the high number of cases being managed, coupled with our low numbers of detectives, I considered seeking national mutual assistance for our homicide teams. I think that would be unprecedented." His comments highlight the challenges facing law enforcement as they work to keep pace with a rising tide of serious crime.
Back in Lisburn, the investigation remains at a delicate stage. Detectives are meticulously piecing together events from the early hours of Monday morning, interviewing witnesses, collecting forensic evidence, and reviewing any available CCTV footage. The identities of the victim and the suspects have not been released, in keeping with standard police procedure during ongoing inquiries.
For local residents, the events of September 15 have brought an unsettling mix of grief, shock, and anxiety. The increased police presence, while reassuring to some, is a stark indicator of the seriousness of the crime and the commitment of authorities to solving it. Many in the community have expressed sympathy for the victim’s family and a desire for answers—questions that detectives are working tirelessly to resolve.
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual in the Wardsborough Road area during the early hours of Monday to come forward. Even the smallest detail, they say, could prove crucial in understanding what led to the fatal injuries sustained by the 42-year-old man.
The broader context of this case cannot be ignored. With a sharp rise in homicides across Northern Ireland in recent months, questions are being asked about the underlying causes—whether they be social, economic, or related to broader issues of policing and public safety. Chief Constable Boutcher’s comments about seeking help from other parts of the UK underscore the seriousness of the challenge facing law enforcement agencies.
For now, Lisburn remains a city in mourning, grappling with the aftermath of a senseless loss. The hope is that, through diligent police work and community cooperation, those responsible will be brought to justice and some measure of closure can be offered to the grieving family. As the cordons remain and detectives press on with their inquiries, the people of Lisburn wait for answers—and, perhaps, for a return to a sense of normalcy that now feels just out of reach.
In the days ahead, all eyes will be on Wardsborough Road and the ongoing investigation, as police, politicians, and the public seek clarity and justice in the wake of tragedy.
