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Friends pay tribute to hero mother who died saving child

By Deputy Chief EditorDecember 28, 2017

223 4 minutes read

Jayne Toal Reat was stabbed to death in her home in Co Antrim on Christmas Day
Her daughter Charlotte Reat, 21, confirmed her mother died in her arms
Ms Reat was also stabbed, receiving wounds to the neck, face and the head
A 19-year-old man has been arrested by the police on suspicion of murder

By Katie French and Darren Boyle for MailOnline

Published: 04:01 EST, 28 December 2017 | Updated: 08:46 EST, 28 December 2017

Charlotte Reat, right, said her mother Jayne Toal Reat, left, was a hero by facing the knifeman

Ms Reat, pictured with her mother, said she also suffered several stab wounds in the attack

Heartbroken friends have paid tribute to a hero mother who died saving her daughter's life by shielding her from an attack a house party as a man has been charged with her murder.

Dancer Charlotte Reat, 21, said her mother Jayne, 43, was stabbed repeatedly as she tried to protect her when she was stabbed in the head at a property in Lisburn, Belfast on Christmas Day.

Shortly after 6am on Christmas morning, police officers and ambulance crews were called to the scene.

When ambulance crews arrived, police were already trying to perform emergency CPR but she could not be saved.

This afternoon a police spokesman said: 'Detectives from Serious Crime Branch have charged a 19 year old male with murder and two counts of attempted murder.

He is expected to appear before Craigavon Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Recalling the horrific moment her mother died right in front of her eyes, Charlotte revealed in a Facebook post: 'I just want to thank everyone for all the kind messages and posts.

'I'm not in the frame of mind to reply to anyone nor am I fit to be writing this status.

'Today will be a day I will never forget as my mum was murdered in front of my eyes and then later died in my arms. I can still feel her in my arms and hear her screams of pain and see the panic on her face.

'My mum died saving me, I was stabbed twice in the head once in my face and once to the back of my neck. I am with family and have to identify my beautiful mother's body tomorrow which is not something I ever expected to be doing.'

'You were her world and always will be': Hundreds have left supportive messages to daughter Charlotte Reat, 21, pictured above, who faces life without her mother

Close bond: A friend left a heartbreaking message after describing how he woke up to the call on Christmas Day that Jayne Reat had been killed

Grieving: Miss Reat said her mother died saving her life and she would trade places with her if she could Devastated: Dancer Charlotte Reat, 21, was also stabbed in the frenzied attack at a house party in Lisburn, Belfast

Devastated: Dancer Charlotte Reat, 21, was also stabbed in the frenzied attack at a house party in Lisburn, Belfast

Emotional: Miss Reat described the horrifying moment her mother died in her arms in a viral Facebook post and swore she would fight for justice on her behalf

Grieving: Miss Reat said her mother died saving her life and she would trade places with her if she could

Tagging her mother in the post, she added: 'Jayne Toal Reat, you died saving my life and I just wish I could trade places with you.

'You're my hero forever and always and I'll never forget you. I promise I will get you justice!

'That scum won't get away with this if it is the last thing I do! I LOVE YOU MY BEAUTIFUL MUMMY FOREVER AND ALWAYS.'

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Detective Inspector John Caldwell of the PSNI's serious crime branch said: 'Detectives have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman at a house in the Lisburn area.'

Friends and family have been paying tribute to the late mother in heartfelt messages on Facebook.

Brother Peter Toal described her as a 'wonderful person' who was beautiful on the outside and inside.

He wrote: 'It’s with a heavy heart that I write this ,firstly thanks to all the people that have messaged me and phoned with support and kind words on the passing of my sister Jayne Toal Reat it means a lot to us all.

'She was not only beautiful on the outside but even more on the inside she really did have a heart of gold she was a wonderful nurse, mother, sister and friend who followed in her mums footsteps helping and caring for others the best she could.

'She didn’t get it easy most of the time but one thing she did get right was in the upbringing and her relationship with her daughter Charlotte which she proved by making the ultimate sacrifice in the death of herself defending her,anybody that knows them both will know the bond that they have like 2 sisters.

'Charlotte has now been left without her mum and best friend,rest in peace my wee beautiful sister, Jane you are now with our mum xx.'

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of Ms Toal Reat's murder on Christmas Day

The emotionally-torn young woman said she can still see the panic on her mother's face, and hear her screams of pain

Neighbour Patrick Byrne, 37, told the Belfast Telegraph that he woke up to emergency services on his street on Christmas Day.

He told the newspaper he saw Charlotte and Jayne's injured partner Joe leave the house as well as the arrest of the suspect.

Mr Byrne said: 'You don't expect to wake up to a murder scene on Christmas Day,' he said.

'It was about 6.30am and there were police, ambulances and forensics everywhere and a forensic tent.

'It was like being in an episode of Eastenders.'

He described their street as a 'quiet area full of families', said that the police cordon had remained in place until around 9pm on Christmas Day.

Miss Reat's heart-wrenching Facebook post has been shared almost 3,500 times Pictured: Mother Jayne Reat died on Christmas Day saving her daughter's life in a knife attack