Re-appeal Over Baby Stewart Death

Detectives investigating the death of a newborn baby boy in Co Down seven years ago today issued a fresh appeal for information about the tragedy.

The baby’s body was found in a shallow grave on Friday 6 October 2000 in a wooded area known as the Old Gasworks off the Portaferry Road in Newtownards. The baby boy, who has been given the name Stewart by the officers investigating the case, was found by a man walking his dog in the estate.

Despite an extensive police investigation and considerable publicity at the time, detectives have been unable to get to the bottom of the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

On the seventh anniversary of the discovery of the body, detectives are renewing their appeal for information.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Murphy, said: “This is a very sad case and I realise that the mother of baby Stewart must have gone through emotional turmoil before giving birth and immediately afterwards, and I have great sympathy for the dilemma she clearly found herself in. Had baby Stewart survived he would have been a lively seven-year-old child in Primary 3 with a year’s new learning in front of him and a happy period of play with his friends.

“I am appealing for Stewart’s mum to come forward and help me lay him to rest by clearing up the circumstances surrounding these tragic events. It may be she confided with friends or family. I would also ask that, if this is the case, then they, too, can come and speak to me and together we can bring this sad event to a conclusion.

“I believe Stewart’s mum must still be suffering grief and despair at the situation she found herself in. I would want to provide her with any help she needs to come to terms with what happened. I would also welcome any contact with Stewart’s father, although I acknowledge that he may have been completely unaware of the fact that Stewart had been born.

“I would like to reassure Stewart’s mum that she will be treated with compassion and understanding and any support she requires will be provided to ensure her wellbeing. I firmly believe she has stored this up and would benefit greatly from having the opportunity to tell her story and allow Stewart to rest in peace.”

A team of specialist detectives in the PSNI, the Retrospective Murder Review Unit, review and re-investigate all deaths occurring between the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 and the creation of Crime Operations Department within PSNI in 2004.

Anyone with any information about baby Stewart should contact Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 111.

(SP/KMcA)