A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of missing Co Down woman Lisa Dorrian.
The 25-year-old from Bangor vanished on February 27 2005 after attending a party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park.
Despite extensive searches in multiple locations and campaigning by her family, Ms Dorrian’s body has never been found.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have said they believe she was murdered that night or in the early hours of the following morning.
On Monday, the PSNI said its Major Investigation Team which is investigating her murder made an arrest.
“He remains in police custody at this time,” it added.
Ulster Unionist justice spokesman Doug Beattie welcomed “significant progress” in the investigation.
“This is an important step forward in a case that has caused unimaginable pain for Lisa’s family and friends for two decades,” he said.
“My thoughts remain firmly with her loved ones at this difficult time, and with all those across Northern Ireland still waiting for answers and the return of their loved ones.”
This is wonderful news Frosty. Thankyou.
It is! As I've mentioned before, Lisa disappeared 15 minutes from where I grew up and although I was only 6 years old at the time, I remember huge PSNI billboards all over the nearby town of Bangor and posters at bus stops requesting information. Because of this, it's always been a case I've felt a personal attachment to as it's rare to have something like this happen right on your doorstep, especially in a small place like Northern Ireland. Her family have campaigned so tirelessly that I saw billboards with her face on them in Belfast as recently as 2022. They dearly deserve closure and hopefully remains to bury, so I hope this chapter is finally closed. Locally, it's always been 'unoffically' known that the perpetrator and his father cleaned up the scene and the father helped to dispose of her body. Whatever evidence the police have got, it must be pretty solid to be able to arrest him on multiple charges and I truly hope this is the end of it.
Sounds like they arrested the dad? You mentioned a perp and his father so curious as to why not two arrests
Yeah, the age would suggest that it was the father. The main suspect was 17 in 2005 so he would only be 37 now. Someone 31 years his senior would most likely be his dad.
Wonder where the son is. Maybe he moved away
Admittedly I am not a parent but I honestly cannot comprehend helping my child with a crime like murder. Like do people have no values, morals or decency. There are certain crimes that really go beyond family bonds.
As a parent, I'd be contacting police immediately. Then wondering what the hell I did wrong to have a kid who kills.
This. Like I honestly would be able to let certain crimes slide but murder, rape, child abuse, elderly abuse - I really can’t and also maybe it’s because I’m into true crime but I’d tell my children from young I would not support them if they got involved in certain things. Love you but my support you would not get.
I think this is a bit situation dependent really? Like I think it's quite different helping one of your kids cover up burying their abusive partner under the patio. Or killing in self defense during an attempted rape. Those are situations where women usually get the short end of the stick no matter what the law should say about their actions in terms of reasonable force and self defence, and I can understand protecting your child.
I think in general though it's a bit of a cause and effect thing - households and families that are accepting of high levels of conflict and violence, or that hold racist or sexists beliefs about certain people being "worth less" are by nature more likely to produce people who commit crimes they need help covering up. Most people learn at least part of their moral code from their parents, if their moral code allows them to commit murder it's more likely (although by no means guaranteed) that they have parents who also have a dubious moral code.
I also think sometimes parents help out of guilt. Like the other person replying said they would feel responsible/like they had done something wrong if their child was capable of their - and their response is to feel like they might as well have done it themselves, and/or they don't want to face wider judgement for having raised a murderer if their child were to be caught.
I really hope that the family get answers and closure - her family has been so active in campaigning for justice for Lisa and not wanting her name forgotten!
Like you i am also from NI though further away from where this happened and it has been one of those cases that has just stuck with me since it happened and I think because its was in my late teens when it happened and was also a young woman just trying to live my life.
If anyone from outside NI wants more info on this I found the Murder in the Badlands episode that BBC NI did a couple a years ago really good. Lisa's episode is the first one, but the other 3 episodes are well worth a watch. Its on iplayer and various streaming platforms outside the UK.
https://youtu.be/nL97dWn3lQ8?si=qZa1GsCHV7LCuEsK
It was excellent. Hope this works 🤞
Thank you! It seems like it does !
JS? Was always told he was involved and the age lines up I think.
ML
Thanks, know the one. JS has always been rumoured to be heavily involved too and the age lined up i think.
“It said the 68-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information and preventing a lawful and decent burial.”
There is speculation in these parts that its his sons that done it. You see Lisa owed ALOT of money for drugs and kept putting it off until her "claim" came through, money never showed. She was threatened many times. The father didn't do it. His sons did.
Body location is again "speculation in these parts" behind a false back in a shipping container that made its way to Scotland. On the Friday after her disappearance.
Again. Speculation
I love seeing arrests in cases that are being re investigated , So difficult when there’s no body , We want some more solved though!!!!!
If - as implied in the comments - the man arrested aided in the disposal of the victim's body, perhaps he can lead investigators to where she is buried?
Sorry to break it to everybody but he’s already been released without charge. How much longer will this nightmare have to go on for Lisa’s family?
I pray the family gets the answers they are seeking and they feel Justice has been served, however that may look like to them.
May justice be served.
He's under suspicion, innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. He hasn't even been charged yet. Ffs.
holy fuck we’ve all been waiting for this for years. finally some justice for lisa 🤞
Why was the case considered a murder and not a disappearance if her body was never found? What led police to think she met her end that night or a few days later? Either way, nice that they have a new suspect.
It is vague. Basically, the detective in charge of investigating her disappearance called it (01:29:08 for a reconstruction).
Don't know why people speculate who done this when its pretty clear as the police and any tv programme have basically said who it was without naming him !!! How they have kept this without giving family at least location of her whereabouts is shocking!!! Ur man Js that was apparently scooped was always fulla mad dogs shite the only ones that can bring the truth are that father and son !!! Id start in rathcoole