Anne McCullough testified at Belfast Crown Court about events surrounding the death of Natalie McNally. McNally, aged 32 and 15 weeks pregnant, died at her home on Silverwood Green in Lurgan on 18 December 2022. Stephen McCullagh, 36, from Woodland Gardens in Lisburn, denies her murder.

McCullough said she met McCullagh at age 18 while studying film-making at college. She considered him a close friend. She had met McNally a few times and viewed her as a friend.

McCullough recounted messages exchanged with McCullagh after midnight on 19 December 2022. He expressed concern that McNally was upset with him for drinking during a YouTube stream that evening, despite a promise not to. Later messages showed his worry over her lack of response, noting her diabetes. He asked if he could pick her up to check on McNally, but she declined.

That evening, McCullagh called McCullough screaming that McNally was gone. She initially thought McNally had left him. A female police officer took the phone, confirmed McNally's death, and requested McCullough come to the scene as McCullagh was upset.

McCullough travelled to Lurgan with her brother. Police instructed her to wait in the car. She described the scene as dark. Police informed her McCullagh would be taken into custody.

After McCullagh's initial arrest on 19 December and release, McCullough visited his Lisburn home. He described finding McNally face down in a dog bowl, with blood present and signs of disturbance including the Christmas tree. He said he turned her over, noted fluid from her mouth and that she was cold, called an ambulance, and performed CPR.

McCullough said McCullagh told her on 17 December about a YouTube stream planned for 18 December, which she believed would be live. The court has heard McCullagh admitted to police it was pre-recorded days earlier.

On his re-arrest in January 2023, McCullough saw a news alert about an arrest in the case. She initially thought police had caught the perpetrator and tried contacting McCullagh without success. Her sister informed her police were at McCullagh's home. She said his streaming activity had convinced her he had an alibi.

Defence barrister John Kearney KC cross-examined McCullough. She agreed McCullagh appeared content in his relationship with McNally and excited about the pregnancy. The trial continues.