Tributes have been pouring in for Lyra McKee, the 29-year-old Northern Irish journalist who was identified by friends as the woman killed in Derry on Thursday night.
She was shot dead while covering riots on the eve of 21st anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the peace accord that helped end the Troubles. Thursday night's violence followed police raids on local houses. Police called her death a "terrorist incident" and have launched a murder inquiry.
McKee dedicated her work to covering the legacy of the 30-year conflict in Northern Ireland. She was an author, an editor at Mediagazer, and writer for various publications, including the Atlantic and BuzzFeed News.
“We are heartbroken to learn of Lyra’s death and extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues,” BuzzFeed said in a statement.
Her friends posted moving tributes, calling the news of her death "heartbreaking".
I just received the heartbreaking news that my friend @LyraMcKee was murdered tonight in a terrorist incident in Derry. She was one of my closest friends. She was my mentor. She was a groomswoman at my wedding. I can't imagine life without her, and yet now I must. I'm devastated
She is being remembered as a "gifted writer" who was determined to help "drag Northern Ireland away from its darkest days".
Happy memories of my friend #LyraMcKee . A dedicated daughter, sister, partner and such a loyal friend , through ups and downs.A gifted writer and as stubborn as they come. Never giving up and would have made a great lawyer with her questioning style :) Gentle, kind and generous
Others who knew her praised her "commitment to truth" and "dedication to her craft".
Utterly devastated at the news that Lyra McKee has been killed. Lyra was a great young journalist, whose commitment to truth was absolute and whose laughter could light up a room. On Good Friday, 21 years after our peace agreement, it's time for our children to know real peace.
Anyone who had ever come across @LyraMcKee here would know her dedication to her craft, and her determination to do her bit to drag Northern Ireland away from its darkest days. To think those dark days have taken her instead is unspeakably sad. RIP Lyra. https://t.co/S8ITOw4rd2
Absolutely devastated to hear that @LyraMcKee was killed last night in Derry. Was a privilege to know her, to read her and to commission her for @FerretScot. Appalling that people are dying in NI like this in 2019. https://t.co/m6uBlAO7R9
People began tweeting work that had inspired them, including a piece for Mosaic Science she wrote on growing up in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement.
Lyra McKee wrote these haunting, prescient words in a piece for https://t.co/878eMKTYu7. https://t.co/CS5mCDu2sN
Others shared her work about the struggles she faced being gay in Belfast. A blog post she wrote on the topic, a letter to herself as a 14-year-old growing up with the challenges, was made into a short film by her friends.
Rest in Power Lyra McKee. You did so much amazing work for our community. Growing up gay in Belfast: ‘I used to bargain with God not to send me to hell’ https://t.co/O6WuEAxeeS
Some writers shared on Twitter how she had inspired them.
Lyra McKee was the woman who encouraged me to write. My heart is broken. A bright light has been blown out. And for what? For what?
Others remembered her as a "wonderful voice" on social media.
Lyra McKee. One of those wonderful voices on my timeline I never met in person, but always hoped I would. A life full of everything, snuffed out. Senseless and cruel. All love and sympathy to her family. xxx
Politicians, including the deputy prime minister of the Republic of Ireland, Simon Coveney, also paid their respects.
Sick to my stomach at death of Lyra McKee in Derry. She was an inspiring thinker and journalist. Last night she was killed by a thug terrorizing people in Derry. Anyone with information should contact #PSNI . In Memory Of Lyra McKee / https://t.co/fvINIjblky via @YouTube
I met Lyra McKee when she was seeking support to write a book about the murder of Unionist MP Robert Bradford, killed in 1981. 38 years later, Lyra herself is murdered. Investigative journalism is essential to democracy. Like Robert's murder, this was an attack on democracy.
A few years ago I shared a panel with Lyra McKee at a Féile/ACN Youth discussion. She was fiercely inquisitive & encouraging about the views of the young audience and forthright in her own thoughts. I’m very sorry for her family, friends and colleagues. This is just so, so wrong.