Bride was strangled for a purse, police say

Murdered bride Michaela McAreavey was strangled over a purse containing a small amount of cash, it was revealed yesterday.

As the body of the 27-year-old newlywed teacher began its journey home to Northern Ireland, detectives on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius said the two men she interrupted in her hotel room had been rummaging for a purse.

The allegation emerged after police revealed that one of the three hotel workers charged in connection with the murder had confessed.

It is understood that room attendant Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, admitted the crime to officers after a co-accused, fellow room attendant Raj Theekoy, 33, made a statement implicating him and the third accused, floor supervisor Sandip Moneea, 41.

Treebhoowoon and Moneea, who are alleged to have killed Mrs McAreavey, face murder charges. Police sources believe they returned to rob the room after spotting the purse while cleaning the day before.

Theekoy, who is charged with conspiracy, is alleged to have passed the room in the luxury Legends Hotel while the attack was taking place, but despite hearing screams, did nothing to stop it.

"Avinash Treebhoowoon has confessed," said a spokesman for the Mauritian police. "Further investigations will continue."

Mrs McAreavey, who married husband John just ten days before her death, was the daughter of one of Ireland's most celebrated sports figures, Tyrone Gaelic football team manager Mickey Harte.

In an move that would be unheard of in the UK, two of the accused were forced to take part in a reconstruction of the crime at the hotel complex yesterday.

A flight carrying the body of Mrs McAreavey was due to leave the island last night en route to London. Her remains are expected to be back in the Harte family home near Ballygawley, Co Tyrone by tomorrow.