A police officer has testified to finding human remains in a bin while searching for a woman who went missing more than three years ago in County Antrim, the trial of a man accused of her murder has heard.
PSNI Detective Sergeant Michael Russell gave evidence at the trial of Brandon Rainey, 30, who is charged with the murder of 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena on 3 June 2023. Rainey denies murder and a further charge of attempting to prevent a lawful burial.
Sergeant Russell told the jury of six men and six women that on 11 June 2023, nine days after police now believe Ms Mitchell was murdered, he was carrying out door-to-door enquiries near Rainey's then flat on James Street in the town. He had been assigned to the search for Ms Mitchell, who at that point was being treated as a high-risk missing person.
The officer said he was made aware of CCTV from a commercial premises showing a male walking in the area in the early hours of 3 June carrying what appeared to be packages and returning with empty hands several times. During a heatwave at the time, as he walked through the area he said he was confronted by "a putrid smell" which a colleague also identified. That led him to a bin outside a property; when he opened it he said he was met with "an overwhelming stench" that almost made him sick. He informed his superiors, who told him to secure the scene.
Sergeant Russell said he also checked another bin outside a different property on the street and was met with a "bank of flies" that suggested it too might contain human remains. Further investigations showed the first bin contained a human leg and the other also contained human remains.
Earlier, the trial heard statements from witnesses read into the record. One witness, who had attended a barbecue that summer with Rainey and his mother, said he heard the accused ask his mother if she would still love him if he "dismembered 50 people" and hid their bodies. The same witness said Rainey had stripped to his boxers during the evening and was wearing a large knife in a sheath.
The trial also heard from two friends who were the last to see Ms Mitchell alive. They said they had gone with her to Rainey's flat on the night of 2 June 2023 but stayed only a short while, and Ms Mitchell decided to remain. One of the women later contacted Rainey to ask if he could help in the search; he told her Ms Mitchell had stayed a further 15 minutes after them and then left.
Police witnesses including mapping and photography specialists gave evidence that inside Rainey's flat they found a number of knives, a crossbow and evidence of blood spatter in several places.
The trial continues.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case highlights the challenges of missing-person investigations and the role of forensic evidence in homicide trials.
- The trial's outcome will affect public confidence in policing in Northern Ireland, particularly in how vulnerable young women are protected.
- The case continues to attract significant public and media attention in the region.
Background
Chloe Mitchell, 21, disappeared from Ballymena, County Antrim, in early June 2023. Brandon Rainey, then 30, was arrested and later charged with her murder and attempting to prevent a lawful burial. The pair were in an on-off relationship at the time, the trial has heard. The discovery of human remains in a bin led to the charges. Rainey has pleaded not guilty.
Key Perspectives
Brandon Rainey: Denies murder and attempting to prevent a lawful burial.
Prosecution case, as presented through evidence: Relies on CCTV showing packages being carried in early hours, the discovery of human remains in bins near Rainey's flat, witness statements including an alleged remark about dismembering 50 people, and forensic evidence including knives, a crossbow and blood spatter found in his flat.
What to Watch
- Further witness testimony and forensic evidence yet to be presented.
- The jury's verdict, which will determine whether Rainey is convicted or acquitted.
- Any sentencing if a conviction is reached.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- Partly supportedMitchell went missing in Ballymena in June 2023, more than three years before the story.RTÉ News: “PSNI Detective Sergeant Michael Russell was giving evidence at the trial of a man accused of murdering 21-year-old Chloe Mitchell in Ballymena, Co Antrim, on 3 June 2023. ... On 8 June 2023 he had been attached to the search for Ms Mitchell, who at that point was being treated as a high-risk missing person.”
- SupportedA police officer testified that he found human remains in a bin while searching for a woman who was missing.RTÉ News: “A police officer has told a jury of the moment he found human remains in the search for a murdered woman.”
- SupportedRainey denies murder and a further charge of attempting to prevent a lawful burial.RTÉ News: “Brandon Rainey, 30, denies her murder and a further charge of attempting to prevent a lawful burial.”
- SupportedRussell said the first bin contained a human leg and the second also contained human remains.RTÉ News: “Further investigations showed that the first bin contained a human leg and the other also contained human remains.”
- SupportedOn 11 June, Russell carried out door-to-door enquiries near Rainey’s then flat, nine days after police now believe Mitchell was murdered.RTÉ News: “On 11 June, nine days after police now believe Ms Mitchell was murdered, the officer was sent to carry out door to door enquiries close to Mr Rainey's then flat at James Street in the town.”
- SupportedRussell said a male appeared on CCTV carrying packages and returning empty-handed several times.RTÉ News: “the male could be seen returning with empty hands. This was seen to happen several times.”
- SupportedRussell described encountering “a putrid smell” and then “an overwhelming stench” when he opened a bin.RTÉ News: “he said he was confronted by "a putrid smell", which a colleague also identified. That led him to a bin outside a property. He said when he opened it he was met with "an overwhelming stench"”
- SupportedRussell said a second bin had a “bank of flies” that suggested it might contain human remains.RTÉ News: “He said he was met with a "bank of flies" that led him to believe that it might also contain human remains.”
- SupportedA witness said Rainey asked his mother whether she would still love him if he “dismembered 50 people” and hid their bodies.RTÉ News: “The witness said he heard the accused ask his mother if she would still love him if he "dismembered 50 people" and hid their bodies.”
- SupportedTwo friends said they went with Mitchell to Rainey’s flat on 2 June, stayed briefly, and she decided to remain.RTÉ News: “They said they had gone with her to Mr Rainey's flat on the night of 2 June 2023. They only stayed for a short while, but in their statements said that Ms Mitchell had decided to remain.”
- SupportedPolice witnesses gave evidence of knives, a crossbow and blood spatter in Rainey’s flat.RTÉ News: “Inside they found a number of knives, a crossbow and evidence of blood spatter in several places in the property.”