The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering Chloe Mitchell has been discharged. The 21-year-old Ballymena woman went missing in June 2023, and her remains were found days later.

Brandon Rainey, 30, formerly of James Street, Ballymena, denies murdering her and preventing the lawful burial of her remains. The trial had begun on Wednesday.

The jury of eight women and four men was called into court at about 13:40 GMT on Friday. Mr Justice Fowler told them that matters had been brought to his attention, requiring him to make inquiries from several people during the morning.

The judge said that as a result of those inquiries and considerations, he regrettably could not continue with the trial at present. He said he considered it necessary to discharge the jury and that the decision was no reflection on them.

Mr Justice Fowler did not give reasons at this stage but said he would provide them after the conclusion of the trial. He cautioned against speculation about the reasons for the discharge.

Rainey was remanded back into custody. The trial has been re-listed for 25 November, when a new jury will be sworn in.

Lisa White, a friend of the Mitchell family, said outside the court that the past three and a half years had been horrific. She said the Mitchell and McDowell families were shocked and saddened that the trial had come to an abrupt end, and that they would continue in the fight for justice for Chloe.

Chloe Mitchell was last seen alive on CCTV in Ballymena town centre in the early hours of 3 June 2023. An extensive search operation was launched by the PSNI, and detectives later began a murder inquiry after human remains were discovered in the County Antrim town.