Tragic honeymoon death of Mickey Harte's daughter

Daughter of football star dies on honeymoon

Patrick Cooper,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, January 10, 2011, 1:24 PM

Updated Monday, January 10, 2011, 4:40 PM

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Michaela Harte pictured with her husband John McAreavey who got married on 30 December last

The tragic death has occurred of Michaela Harte, the daughter of Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte, while on her honeymoon in Mauritius.

A spokesman for the Mauritius police told the Journal.ie that the young bride has been found dead in her hotel room, and that an inquiry into her death had been launched.

The primary school teacher had married John McAreavey, a member of the Down football panel, at a ceremony in St Malachy's Church, Ballymacilroy, Co Tyrone, on 30 December 2010.

The 27-year old was found dead in her hotel room at the four-star Legends Hotel, not long after she enjoyed lunch with her new husband.

Soon after she ate she went upstairs to rest and have a cup of tea but failed to re-appear. Her husband became concerned and returned to their room where he discovered her body.

It is understood a hotel porter was nearby at the time. Another member of staff was then alerted and he went straight to the room where they attempted to reusitate the young teacher for 30 minutes by performing mouth-to-mouth.

The brunette was a former Rose of Tralee contestant and was regularly seen by her father’s side during many of Tyrone’s All-Ireland victories.

Her husband is a nephew of Dr John McAreavey, the Bishop of Dromore, who officiated at the wedding ceremony two weeks ago.

A joint statement by Mickey Harte and Dr McArveavey said they had been informed of the young woman’s death.

“We wish to confirm that we have received confirmation this afternoon that Michaela, married on December 30 2010 to John McAreavey, was killed today in Mauritius where the couple were on honeymoon.

“We ask for prayers for Michaela, John and their families and loved ones.

“Both families are deeply shocked and devastated by this tragic news and they ask for privacy and space at this time of profound grief.”

A spokesman from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said: “We are providing consular assistance to the family of an Irish citizen who passed away in Mauritius.”

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Sparklet | Jan 11, 2011, 01:42 PM EST

It seems likely that she disturbed a break-in. Just awful.

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antoman | Jan 11, 2011, 05:57 AM EST

The daughter of Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte was murdered in her hotel room while on honeymoon, police in Mauritius have confirmed. A post-mortem examination on 27-year-old teacher Michaela Harte revealed that she had been strangled. She was found dead in the room by her new husband, Down senior Gaelic footballer John McAreavey. Superintendent Yoosoof Soopun, from the Mauritius Police Force, said officers had identified six potential suspects and were confident of an arrest. He said Mr McAreavey was in the restaurant of the hotel when his wife was murdered. "She had gone back to the room to get some biscuits to put in her tea and, when she failed to return, her husband went to look for her," he said. "When he found her in the room, she had been killed. He tried to help her but she was already dead. "A post-mortem has showed she was strangled, she died from neck compression." Mr Soopun said the killer had used an electronic key card to enter the room. "There was no forced entry into the room," he said. "Whoever killed her definitely used an electronic card." He added: "This is being viewed with much concern by the police and government of Mauritius. We are doing everything we can to find whoever was responsible."

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seamusmoore | Jan 10, 2011, 04:53 PM EST

Deepest condolences to the Harte family and her husband. I had the honor of meeting Mickey Harte at the 2008 GAA All-Stars event in San Francisco, he is a real gentleman and must be devastated by the death of Michaela. I will always remember the image of her unbounded joy when Tyrone won their first All Ireland in 2003.

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