The only suspect in the police investigation into the deaths of a mother and her two children has died.
On Wednesday, Vanessa Whyte and her two teenage children James Rutledge and Sara Rutledge were shot and killed in their County Fermanagh home.
On the same day, Ian Rutledge, 43, was taken to hospital in a serious condition and the PSNI announced his death yesterday evening.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Belfast-based journalist Amanda Ferguson said the victims were well known in the community.
“Vanessa Whyte, who was 45, was a vet originally from County Clare and their two children, James and Sara, were fatally shot at their home on the Drummeer Road in Maguiresbridge in Fermanagh,” she said.
“Ms Whyte had recently been promoted in work; she worked as a vet for the Department of Agriculture in the North and their children have been described as inseparable members of the St Patrick’s Lisbellaw Hurling Club and Maguiresbridge St Mary’s GFC.”
Statement from DAERA: @DAERAPermSec Katrina Godfrey said: “It is with deep regret that DAERA has learned about the death of our colleague, Vanessa Whyte. We are deeply saddened by the passing of her & her children in these tragic circumstances..
— DAERA (@daera_ni) July 24, 2025
A funeral mass for the three victims is to be held in Ms Whyte's home town of Barefield, County Clare on August 2nd.
After that they will be interned together in Templemaley Cemetery.
“We know that prayer services and vigils have taken place on both sides of the border for Ms Whyte and her children,” Ms Ferguson said.
“It’s really another devastating story emerging about the loss of a woman and her two children.”
Tonight, we gathered with the Maguiresbridge community to honour the memory of Vanessa and her beautiful children, James and Sara.
We must continue to do all we can, today, tomorrow, and in the time ahead, to support the family, the local community, and everyone affected by this… pic.twitter.com/IGhRWjzrRV
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) July 25, 2025
The PSNI said they were treating the family’s death as a possible case of a triple murder and attempted suicide.
They have asked people to come forward with information, no matter how small they might think it might be.
Officers are especially interested in talking to anyone who spotted a Silver Mercedes Saloon driving in the Newtownbutler area of County Fermanagh the day before the shooting.
Main image: Vanessa Whyte and her two children James Rutledge and Sara Rutledge. Picture by: PSNI.
