Two Arrests Made in Lisa Dorrian Murder Investigation, 21 Years After Disappearance

Police have made two arrests in connection with the disappearance and presumed murder of Lisa Dorrian, a 25-year-old woman who went missing from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland, in February 2005. The arrests, made on Wednesday, February 24, 2026, come almost 21 years after Dorrian was last seen alive.

Details of the Arrests

A 40-year-old woman was arrested in Bangor, County Down, on suspicion of murder, assisting offenders, withholding information, and preventing a lawful and decent burial. Later the same day, a 42-year-old man was arrested in Scotland on the same charges. Police Scotland and the PSNI’s Cross-Border Transit Officers collaborated in the arrest of the man in Scotland .

Lisa Dorrian’s Disappearance

Lisa Dorrian was last seen attending a house party at Ballyhalbert Caravan Park in County Down on the night of February 27, 2005 . She had spent the weekend socializing in the Bangor and Ards Peninsula areas with a new group of acquaintances . After attending the party, she left with four other individuals at approximately 7:30 PM . Her disappearance was reported when a housemate returned from a weekend away and found no trace of her.

Ongoing Investigation

Despite numerous searches – encompassing land, sea, and air – and investigations into potential crime scenes, no trace of Lisa Dorrian has ever been found . Police believe she was murdered on the night of her disappearance or in the early hours of the following morning . The case remains open, and authorities continue to appeal to the public for information.

Background

Born in 1979, Lisa Dorrian had recently ended a four-year relationship and had begun associating with a new group of friends, who her family alleged were involved with drugs and organized crime . She had also begun using ecstasy and amphetamines . At the time of her disappearance, she was due to receive £50,000 in personal injury compensation and had planned to move to Spain to start a jet-ski rental business .

Statement from Police

Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman stated, “It’s almost 21 years since Lisa’s disappearance and murder. That’s 21 years of torture for a loving family.” She added, “I am keen to take every opportunity to encourage anyone with information to do the right thing and come forward.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).