Stephen McCullagh of Woodland Gardens, Lisburn, denies murdering 32-year-old Natalie McNally. She was 15 weeks pregnant when killed at her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan on December 18, 2022. Family members testified over two days at Belfast Crown Court.

Parents Noel and Bernadette McNally stated McCullagh attended the wake at their Craigavon home on December 25, 2022. Police had notified them he was released from custody and no longer a suspect. Noel McNally said this prompted them to allow entry. He had met McCullagh twice before: late October 2022 as Natalie's boyfriend, and early November for the pregnancy announcement.

Bernadette McNally said McCullagh wore a suit he claimed Natalie liked from her birthday. He described contacting Natalie on December 19 after gaming and drinking, fearing she was upset or had a diabetic episode. He recounted entering her home, finding her body with face in a dog bowl containing blood, calling emergency services, and performing CPR. McCullagh spent 15 to 20 minutes alone with her remains.

McCullagh declined the December 26 funeral, citing recognition concerns. He visited the family home several times in January 2023. Bernadette McNally said he showed an engagement ring and mentioned home renovations and a nearby integrated school in Lisburn.

Noel McNally noted McCullagh called her 'my Natalie' despite knowing her months. Family members said McCullagh complained of police treatment after arrest, including genital swabs by female officers and extended cell time alone. Noel McNally recalled McCullagh saying an officer laughed when he denied the killing.

Brothers Declan and Brendan McNally testified. Declan took McCullagh to Natalie's grave post-funeral, where McCullagh questioned how anyone could do it. Brendan met McCullagh on November 6, 2022, for the pregnancy news.

Aunt Kathleen McStravick met McCullagh at the wake. Cousin Gavin Haddock described McCullagh reviewing his December 18 YouTube stream at the family home on January 7, 2023, noting the murder time and saying he should have protected her. Haddock saw McCullagh wearing Natalie's badges at a Lurgan Park rally on January 28, 2023.

McCullagh told family Natalie faced harassment from an ex-boyfriend via abusive emails and calls near her death.