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The sister of murdered journalist Lyra McKee has made a heartfelt plea for the return of her mum's mobile phone.

Joan McKee has been in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for almost two weeks and just discovered earlier this week that her mobile phone has gone missing.

Lyra's sister Nichola Corner has now made an appeal to the public to try and help return the phone to her heartbroken mother.

The phone was a gift from Lyra to her mother and contained some of the last text messages they exchanged before she was killed in April last year.

Nichola explained: "It was noted missing on Thursday and we were hoping that a staff member may have lifted it by accident and that it would turn up once they realised their mistake.

"We've had laundry check for it as well. The nursing staff have helped us search for it but nothing yet so we felt we had no option than put out the public appeal.

"The phone has only sentimental value as my baby sister Lyra McKee bought it for our mum for Christmas 2018- Lyra's last Christmas.

"My mum often looked back on the many messages that Lyra sent her...but now she can't. Please help us find it.

"The phone had a hard case on the back with a little ring that she could put her finger through to make it easier to hold.

"If anyone finds this phone or knows of its whereabouts, please PM me or another family member."

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