A murder investigation has been launched in the search for a 21-year-old Northern Irish woman who went missing just over a week ago.
Chloe Mitchell, from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, was last seen on Saturday, June 3, in the early hours of the morning.
Community Rescue Service as well as PSNI search teams were involved in the extensive operation, with searches continuing through Saturday night into Sunday morning.
READ MORE: Frantic search goes on for missing Irish woman Chloe Mitchell as man is arrested
Police confirmed on Friday, June 9, that a criminal investigation into her disappearance was being carried out and that Mitchell was being treated as a "high-risk missing person".
On Sunday night however, detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team announced they launched a murder inquiry following the discovery of suspected human remains in Ballymena.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Millar said, via Belfast Live: "Sadly today detectives have recovered suspected human remains in Ballymena and while there has been no formal identification we have launched a murder enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell who was a high-risk missing person.
"Earlier this week we launched a criminal investigation into Chloe's disappearance. Tragically, we now have reason to believe Chloe was murdered. Our thoughts this evening are very much with Chloe's family and we have specialist officers providing them with support at the heart-breaking time.
"I would like to thank the community in Ballymena and the Search and Rescue teams for their help in trying to find Chloe. Two men, aged 26 and 34, remain in police custody helping police with the enquiries. Further details will follow in due course."
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