The mother of murdered journalist Lyra McKee has sadly died just weeks ahead of the anniversary of her daughter's death.

Joan Lawrie passed away in a Belfast hospital on Tuesday night, report the Belfast Telegraph.

29-yea-old Lyra was the main carer for her disabled mum, who was a single parent.

The talented journalist was shot dead during a riot in the Creggan area of Derry last April.

Lyra's older sister, Nichola McKee Corner, announced the news of her mother's passing in a Facebook post, where she told of how Joan never recovered from the grief of losing the youngest of her six children.

She wrote: "It is with the greatest sadness that I share this. My mother, Joan Lawrie, passed away peacefully in hospital on 10th March.

"She is now at peace with her beloved daughter Lyra McKee."

Nichola said Lyra's tragic death was also responsible for her mother's, writing: "The b******* who murdered my baby sister should also be tried for the murder of my mother – they killed her the day they killed her precious baby girl.

"Mom, give our darling Lyra a huge hug and a million kisses from us. Love you both forever and always.

"My heart is comforted knowing that you are together again. Always in my heart. Love you Mom xoxoxoxo."

Shortly before she was murdered, Lyra moved to Derry with her girlfriend Sara Canning. However, she regularly returned to Belfast to look after her mother.

In the past, Lyra had written praise for her mother Joan and told of how supportive she was when she told her she was gay.

In a "Letter to my 14-year-old self", Lyra recalled: "You will be sobbing and shaking and she will be frightened because she doesn't know what's wrong. . . . You have to tell her because you've met someone you like and you can't live with the guilt any more.

"You can't get the words out so she says it: 'Are you gay?' And you will say, 'Yes Mummy, I'm so sorry.' And instead of getting mad, she will reply 'Thank God you're not pregnant.' "