CCTV footage, mobile phone data and taxi records also traced his movements on the night of the murder, leading to his re-arrest in January 2023.
He was subsequently charged with Natalie’s murder and was unanimously convicted by a jury.
During sentencing, the judge described the crime as “a brutal and senseless murder planned in remorseless detail, cold-blooded and calculated”.
Speaking outside the court after McCullagh’s sentencing in June, Natalie’s father Noel described the family’s “unimaginable” pain and grief.
“Today we don’t celebrate,” he said, adding that he and his family now serve “a life sentence” since the murder of “beloved” Natalie.
He said at the time he hoped the 31-years given to McCullagh would deter other men from carrying out violence against women and girls across Northern Ireland.
In a pre-sentence report McCullagh, who has never admitted killing Natalie, called himself “a monster”.
