Woman held after backpacker killed in Belfast

A woman has been arrested after an American female backpacker (29) was killed at a Belfast tourist hostel.

The victim, who had been staying near Queen's University in the south of the city, is believed to be from New Mexico.

She had sustained head injuries when she was discovered at the hostel in Fitzwilliam Street last night.

Officials from the US Consulate in Belfast were attempting to contact relatives before disclosing her name.

The area around the scene remained sealed off today while police and forensic experts investigated.