Dating App Connection Turns Tragic: A Chilling Murder Unveiled | ITV News

Stephen McCullagh has been convicted of killing Natalie McNally at her Lurgan home on December 18, 2022. A jury at Belfast Crown Court returned the guilty verdict on March 23, 2026.

Background

The couple first made contact via the dating app Bumble on August 7, 2022. McCullagh sent an initial WhatsApp message that day. They exchanged hundreds of messages over 133 days.

Prosecutors said McCullagh accessed Ms McNally’s phone. He allegedly viewed messages she had with other men.

Events of December 14–19, 2022

• December 14–15: McCullagh pre-recorded a gaming stream titled The Violent Night Christmas Live. The recording lasted six hours and four minutes.
• The stream featured gameplay of Grand Theft Auto. Prosecutors described drinking and abusive language during the session.
• December 16–17: He told friends he planned to broadcast live on Sunday evening.
• December 18, afternoon: McNally visited McCullagh’s home in Woodland Gardens, Lisburn. He checked bus and train timetables that day.
• She briefly visited her parents to watch the World Cup final. She later returned to her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan.
• 4.00pm: McCullagh posted an advert on YouTube about his “live” stream.
• 5.57pm: He messaged Ms McNally saying he would stream that night. She replied she might watch.
• 6.00pm: The pre-recorded livestream began. McCullagh’s phone showed no activity during the recording.
• 6.36pm: CCTV captured a man walking near McCullagh’s house carrying a bag.
• 7.36pm: Bus CCTV showed a man with his face covered travelling from Dunmurry to Lurgan.
• The same man was tracked by cameras towards Silverwood Green.
• 8.24pm: Ms McNally logged into YouTube and watched part of the stream.
• 8.51pm: McCullagh entered Ms McNally’s house.
• 9.31pm: He left her property.
• 9.49pm: CCTV showed a man getting into a taxi near Fa Joe’s bar in Lurgan.
• 11.12pm: The taxi arrived at McCullagh’s home in Woodlands, Lisburn. He was captured on CCTV throwing two items over a hedge.
• 11.16pm: His phone became active again after being inactive earlier.
• 12.05am (Dec 19): The recording of the gaming broadcast was manually stopped.
• 12.08am: McCullagh messaged Ms McNally.
• Later that day he sent further messages expressing worry.
• 9.59pm: McCullagh returned to Ms McNally’s house in Lurgan. He made a 10-minute 999 call.
• He told emergency services she was pregnant and not breathing. He said there was blood at the scene.

Injuries and Crown Case

The prosecution described extreme injuries. The evidence included three stab wounds to the neck.

There were multiple blows to the head and signs of throttling. A senior counsel said her face had been placed in a dog bowl.

Post-incident Behaviour and Investigations

McCullagh initially denied involvement in interviews. He claimed the stream was live during the hours in question.

Police later found the broadcast had been pre-recorded. Devices showed no user activity during the claimed live period.

He was released by police on December 20, 2022. On December 24, the family were told he was no longer a suspect.

McCullagh attended Ms McNally’s wake on Christmas Day. He visited the family home again on January 26, 2023.

He accidentally left his phone after that visit. The device recorded a 39-minute conversation among family members.

Arrest, Charge and Trial

• January 31, 2023: McCullagh was arrested again.
• February 1, 2023: During interview he repeatedly replied “no comment” to key questions.
• February 2, 2023: He was charged with the murder of Natalie McNally.
• February 23, 2026: His trial began at Belfast Crown Court.
• March 23, 2026: A jury found McCullagh guilty.

Community Reaction

More than 1,000 people attended a rally in Lurgan in late January 2023. A montage of images was shown at the event.

McCullagh attended and was described at the time as Ms McNally’s partner. The case deeply affected the local community.

Reporting

Filmogaz.com reported on the developments throughout the investigation and trial. The story began from a dating app connection that later turned tragic.

The case has been described as a chilling murder unveiled to the public. It raised questions about online relationships and trust.