Electronic data to be analysed in triple murder-suicide probe
The coffins of murder victims Vanessa Whyte and her children Sara and James Rutledge are carried from St Mary's Church in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, following a service of removal. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Vanessa Whyte with her children Sara and James Rutledge. Photo: PSNI/PA
Northern Ireland authorities believe triple murder suspect Ian Rutledge moved back into the Fermanagh home of his wife Vanessa Whyte and their two teenage children after his family became aware of his deteriorating eyesight.
PSNI detectives are investigating whether the suspected triple murder-suicide had been planned in advance by the former truck driver – or whether it was triggered by a dispute in the family home.
Ms Whyte (45) and her two children, James (14) and Sara (13), died from gunshot injuries inflicted at their Maguiresbridge home on July 23.
The only suspect in the triple shooting, Rutledge (43), was discovered by PSNI officers at the property with gunshot wounds.
He died in hospital last Monday from his injuries.
The former agricultural contractor had suffered catastrophic brain injuries.
He was Ms Whyte's husband and the father of James and Sara.
Ian Rutledge
A legally held firearm was recovered from the scene.
The PSNI believe Rutledge shot his wife and children before turning the firearm on himself.
Ms Whyte – who is survived by her mother, Mary, and her siblings, Geraldine, Regina, Anita, Ivor and Stephen – was buried alongside her two children in her native Clare last Saturday.
Friends and family hailed her as a kind-hearted and caring individual who was devoted to her family.
One friend said that trying to help someone in need was second nature to Ms Whyte.
Thousands attended the funeral in Barefield, Co Clare. There were emotional scenes as the three coffins were carried into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the church where Ms Whyte made her holy communion and confirmation.
The University College Dublin veterinary studies graduate had planned to travel back to her native Clare for the August bank holiday weekend with her children to visit her family and attend some Clare hurling championship matches.
The only comfort we have is that Vanessa, James and Sara are together and finally safe
She was a lifelong Clare hurling fan and attended the 2024 All-Ireland final with her children.
The funeral had guards of honour from GAA clubs in Clare, Galway and Fermanagh.
Ms Whyte's sister, Regina, said she had been taken from the world and her loving children in a cruel and vicious manner.
'For us, as a family, the only comfort we have is that Vanessa, James and Sara are together and finally safe,' she said.
The coffins of murder victims Vanessa Whyte and her children Sara and James Rutledge are carried from St Mary's Church in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, following a service of removal. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The Bishop of Ferns, Ger Nash, who was previously a cleric in Killaloe, noted that the Whyte family had asked people to wear bright colours in tribute to Ms Whyte and her two children.
Outside the church, three flagpoles had the Irish, Clare and St Joseph's- Doora Barefield colours flying at half mast.
Dozens of balloons in the saffron and blue colours of Clare surrounded the three coffins, with Ms Whyte's coffin covered by the maroon and white colours of St Joseph's-Doora Barefield, the club her late father and two brothers proudly played for.
'We need that light,' Bishop Nash said.
He told mourners that darkness cannot overcome light for those of faith.
'It is hinted at in the bright colours that Vanessa, James and Sara's family have asked people to wear.'
'The darkness will not conquer.'
Dozens of mourners attended from Fermanagh, where a special memorial service for the mother and children was held last Wednesday evening.
The PSNI are now trawling through all electronic data from mobile phones and computers to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the deaths.
Detectives are aware that Rutledge had been experiencing depression over recent weeks and months.
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