Loughguile pair arrested over backpacker's murder thirty years ago

QRadio News

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder as part of the investigation into the death of Inga Maria Hauser. 

The 18-year-old vanished in April 1988 in Co.Antrim after arriving in Northern Ireland on a backpacking trip.

Her body was found two weeks later - on April 20 1988 - in a remote part of Ballypatrick Forest on the outskirts of Ballycastle, Co Antrim.

No one has ever been convicted of her killing.

Earlier this year a memorial was unveiled at the site where her body was found, and police launched a major appeal for information to help catch those responsible. 

At the time, a senior detective told Q Radio they had a main suspect in the case, and that the person was still alive. 

Early on Monday morning officers swooped on the Loughguile area of Co.Antrim and detained two men on suspicion of murder. 

The 58 and 61 year old men have been taken into custody and are currently being questioned. 

Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray renewed his appeal for information in relation to the killing.

He said: “If there are any witnesses still out there with any further information which might help police then I would ask them to come forward now and speak to detectives.

“Even if there are people who know what happened but have stayed silent out of friendship or family loyalty, it is still not too late to come forward and tell us what you know.

“Failure to do so can be a criminal offence in itself and surely it would be better to come to police and discuss what happened rather than take the risk we will come to you.