Gang 'ruled out' in killing

Police believe the woman may have been known as Tina

Gang involvement has been ruled out in the killing of a Chinese woman whose body was discovered in the boot of a car in north Belfast, it is understood.

The identity of the woman has been a mystery until now, but police believe they have uncovered more details about her.

They say she could have been known as Tina and may have been visiting Belfast after travelling from Dublin by bus on Bank Holiday Monday last week.

Detectives have appealed for anyone who was on the bus, which left Dublin at about 1800 BST and arrived in Belfast at about 2100 BST, to contact them.

'Dignity'

Detective Chief Inspector Derek Williamson said police wanted information, not just from the Chinese community, but from anyone who may have seen her.

"We don't yet know who she was, but I think that young girl deserves the dignity and respect of having her own identity given back to her," he said.

"There is, of course, a family and people who knew that young girl who don't yet know the horrible news that she has been brutally murdered, and we would like to give her back her dignity and respect."

Despite press speculation about gang involvement, it is understood detectives are treating the murder as domestic.

Detectives investigating the murder have been granted more time to question two Chinese men.

Her body was discovered early on Thursday after the car was stopped at a checkpoint on the Antrim Road.

The checkpoint was set up after police received a tip-off of suspicious activity in the Skegoneill Avenue area just after 0130 BST.