The cause of death for Jamey Carney, an American mother found dead in her Killarney, County Kerry home, has been revealed as suffocation, according to reports. Carney, 43, an Irish American originally from Westchester County, New York, died from suffocation after suffering head injuries, The Irish Times reported, citing the Irish state pathologist.
Irish police are investigating Carney's death as a murder. A person of interest in the case reportedly fled Ireland before her body was discovered on Tuesday. Investigators believe this individual arrived in Ireland from the United Kingdom and may have subsequently traveled to Istanbul, Turkey.
International Manhunt and Border Policy Debate
Detectives are coordinating with British police and immigration officials, and have contacted Interpol and Europol to aid in tracing the person of interest. Despite the international efforts, authorities have not publicly released the individual's name, photograph, or physical description, citing legal reasons. The Irish Justice Department and Irish police declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Some Irish publications have reported that the person of interest is an asylum seeker who was living in state-provided accommodation in Killarney. The Irish Mirror reported that the individual knew Carney and frequently visited her home. Carney's social media profiles indicated she was in a relationship with a man who had posted from the United Kingdom and Turkey in recent years.
Carney, who moved to Ireland in 2021, was found at the home she shared with her 13-year-old daughter. Her cousin, Ryan Fox, told The Irish Times that Carney was proud of her Irish heritage and sought a beautiful country to raise her daughter. The State Department confirmed Carney's death in County Kerry on July 7 and stated it was providing consular assistance to her family.
Carney's sister has indicated that she and her mother are in Ireland and are working with authorities. A GoFundMe has been established to assist the family with funeral expenses.
The investigation is ongoing, with Irish police appealing for CCTV or dashcam footage from the Muckross Road area in Killarney between 11 p.m. on July 6 and 5 a.m. on July 7. The incident has fueled debate in Ireland regarding immigration and border policies, with some political figures emphasizing the importance of border control and immigrant vetting for national security. Over 149,000 immigrants have reportedly entered Ireland in 2024.