Man accused of murdering Chloe Mitchell in Belfast trial

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 4 Nov, 16:29 · Archive

Brandon Rainey, 30, is accused of murdering 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell and dismembering her body.

Brandon Rainey, 30, has gone on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of murdering 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell. The trial heard that Ms Mitchell died from blunt force trauma to the head and stab wounds to the chest following what prosecutors described as a sustained assault with weapons. Her body was later dismembered and placed in two residential bins in Ballymena after she went missing in June 2023.

Prosecution barrister David Russell KC told the jury that there is 'a body of evidence that we say points clearly to Mr Rainey being the perpetrator' and that given the nature of the attack he 'clearly intended to kill her'. The court also heard that Rainey told police 'a catalogue of lies' and had a fascination with Jack the Ripper. He allegedly attempted to order 'amputation knives' online from surgical companies.

Rainey, formerly of James Street in Ballymena, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and attempting to prevent the burial of her body. A large number of Ms Mitchell's family and friends attended the opening day of the trial on Wednesday.

How it is being reported

• Chloe Mitchell faced ‘cruel and brutal death’ before dismemberment, jury toldChloe Mitchell was the “victim of a sustained assault with weapons whilst alive” before being “mutilated and dismembered in death” the first day of a murder trial has heard.News Letter · 4 Nov, 18:50
• Chloe Mitchell murder trial hears 21-year-old faced ‘cruel and brutal death’ before dismembermentGRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: The story contains content that readers may find upsettingBelfast Live · 4 Nov, 15:54
• Chloe Mitchell trial hears murder-accused ‘dismembered body and placed parts in two bins’Warning: This court report contains graphic detailsBelfast Telegraph · 4 Nov, 13:27
• Chloe Mitchell trial hears man accused of her murder ‘dismembered her placing parts in two bins’Warning: This court report contains graphic detailsBelfast Telegraph · 4 Nov, 13:27

In this story: Chloe Mitchell · Brandon Rainey · Belfast Crown Court · Ballymena · Belfast

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log