Killing of Chloe Mitchell

On 3 June 2023, Chloe Louise Mitchell, a 21‑year‑old woman from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, disappeared in the town centre in the early hours of the morning, prompting a large‑scale search across the area. She was later found dead after suspected human remains were discovered on 11 June, leading detectives to open a murder investigation. Brandon John Rainey was charged with her murder and later faced an additional charge of attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a body.

Chloe Louise Mitchell^[1] was born on 26 March 2002^[2] and lived in the Harryville area of Ballymena. She was the youngest of six children.^[3]

Mitchell was last seen in Ballymena town centre in the early hours of 3 June 2023, when CCTV recorded her walking through the area.^[4][5] She was reported missing on 7 June,^[6] and police treated the case as a high‑risk missing‑person investigation, carrying out searches across several parts of the town. During these searches on 11 June, human remains were found in Ballymena, prompting detectives to open a murder investigation. On 26 June, it was confirmed that the remains were Mitchell's.^[5]

A large crowd gathered in Ballymena on 14 June for a vigil held near the location where Mitchell had last been seen. Flowers and other tributes were placed at a temporary memorial in the park, and members of her family attended. Her brother spoke to those present and expressed appreciation for the support offered by local residents, emergency services, and Community Rescue Service volunteers involved in the search. A separate vigil had taken place earlier at Belfast City Hall.^[7]

A thanksgiving service for Mitchell took place on 29 June at her family home. A local minister led the gathering and described her as a much‑loved daughter and sister. He told those present that the community had come together to support the family "in their time of great need".^[8] A large number of people assembled in nearby King George's Park, where the service was relayed on a screen.^[8] A cortege left the family home after the service, led by a lone piper as the coffin was carried from the house, and continued on to Ballee Cemetery for the burial.^[9]

Brandon John Rainey, aged 26, was arrested on 8 June 2023, and a 34‑year‑old man was arrested on 10 June.^[10] Following the discovery of suspected human remains on 11 June, both men were charged on 12 June; Rainey was charged with murder, and the 34‑year‑old was charged with attempting to impede justice.^[6] During their appearance at Ballymena Magistrates' Court via video link, the court was told that Rainey had longstanding mental‑health difficulties, including a history of paranoid schizophrenia.^[11] The charge against the 34‑year‑old man was later "withdrawn without prejudice".^[12] A further charge was subsequently brought against Rainey for attempting to prevent the lawful burial of a body.^[13] He had been scheduled to stand trial on 9 March 2026, but on 27 February 2026 the court was informed that he would plead guilty to killing Mitchell by reason of diminished responsibility.^[14]

Rainey's defence team later withdrew after advising the Crown Court that they were professionally compromised and that he no longer wished to instruct them; the judge allowed the withdrawal and directed him to obtain new representation before a review hearing.^[15]