An eight-year-old girl was among three members of the same family found dead in what is being treated as a double murder and suicide.
A murder investigation was launched after the three people – a 41-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and the girl – were found at a house on the Cullybackey Road in Ballymena at 09:00 BST on Monday.
It is understood the woman is the girl’s mother.
Supt William Calderwood described how emergency services were met with a “shocking scene”.
The family was originally from Poland, although it is understood the child was born in Northern Ireland. The honorary consul of Poland in Northern Ireland Jerome Mullen said he had never experienced such a tragedy in his 18 years in the job.
Police have said the cause of the deaths has not been formally established and they were not seeking anyone else in relation to the deaths.
At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Calderwood said they were keeping an open mind, but they were working on a “strong hypothesis” of a “double murder followed by a sudden death”.
He expressed his deepest sympathies to family members, friends and loved ones for their “unimaginable loss”.
He reiterated that there was no ongoing risk to the public, but that there would be an increased police presence in the area.
He said the wider community had been left in shock and that the first responders were being provided with support.
Supt William Calderwood gave an update to members of the media on Tuesday afternoon
He appealed for anyone with information – including CCTV and dashcam footage – to come forward.
He added that police were liaising with the Polish consulate.
Mullen said the family had been settled in Northern Ireland for some time, and he was “absolutely shattered and devastated” by the news.
“The Polish community has been living in Northern Ireland and has been very settled for 20 years,” he said.
“This is the worst tragedy that I’ve come across in my experience.”
He added that Poland had a full diplomatic presence in Northern Ireland and the consulate was providing assistance and support to the family circle.
At the scene on Tuesday morning, BBC News NI’s Kelly Bonner said the area was subdued.
“The police cordon is still in place on the Cullybackey Road,” she said.
“This is quite a quiet area, it is quite a rural road.
“For neighbours and people living in this community, they are still trying to come to terms with what has happened.”
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The MP for the area, Jim Allister of the Traditional Unionist Voice, said it added an “extra dimension of horror” knowing that an eight-year-old girl had died.
“My heart goes out to the relatives in the Ballymena area and to those in Poland. I am also mindful of the school friends of the child and the distress they will suffer,” he said.
Allister also paid tribute to the first responders who attended the scene.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said she sent her heartfelt sympathy to family members affected by the deaths.
“I would urge anyone who needs support at this time to contact the services provided within the Health and Social Care system, and by the voluntary and community sector,” the Alliance Party leader said.
Long said it was important family members and friends “affected by this tragedy are afforded privacy and respect”.
Forensics officers were still at the scene on Tuesday [PA Media]
The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Thomas Gordon, said he was deeply saddened.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives,” he said.
“As investigations continue, I would urge anyone who may have information to contact the police.”
Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows said the entire town was devastated and police should be given “patience and time” to complete their investigation.
“The more information the police can get out the better, because there is a community in shock,” he said.
Sinn Féin assembly member Philip McGuigan said speculation about what had happened was not helpful.
He said anybody who could help police should come forward.
Additional reporting by Niall Glynn and Adam Mandeville
