A Mid Ulster MLA has described how the local community in Magherafelt has been left "reeling" after the second murder investigation in the wider area in a week.
PNSI in Co Derry launched a murder investigation after the body of a male was discovered on Monday afternoon.
Just after 12.30pm on October 18, officers received a report that the body of a deceased male had been found at a residential property in the Sandy Braes area of Magherafelt.
Patsy McGlone has shared his condolences with the victim's family and expressed his concern after police about the rise of violent crime in the community.
The Mid Ulster MLA said: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of this man who are receiving the worst news imaginable today.
"Magherafelt is not an area that is used to this kind of crime so to see two murder investigations launched in the wider area in a week has been very shocking for the local community.
“People will be rightly concerned at the recent rise in violent crime and I will be liaising with police to discuss how they intend to combat this issue.
"One incident is too many and we must do everything we can to reassure local people and others that this is a safe and welcoming area.
“I would encourage anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Sandy Braes area to come forward to police immediately and assist their investigation in any way they can.”
Chief Inspector Raymond Phelan said: “Police attended and a man has been arrested nearby on suspicion of murder.
"My investigation is at a very early stage and I would appeal to anyone who was in the Sandy Braes area in recent days and who witnessed anything to contact Detectives on 101 quoting reference 944 of 18/10/21."
In a completely separate incident in Co Derry last week Katrina Rainey died after she was pulled from a burning car on the Quarry Road, Knockloughrim.
Thomas Rainey, 59, was remanded in custody after being charged with her murder at the family farm on Tuesday, October 12.
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