The brother of Chloe Mitchell has told of his heartbreak at the loss of his "wee sidekick".
In a post on social media, Philip Mitchell also described how she was "always the life and soul of the party".
Other tributes have remembered the 21-year-old as a "lovely kind hearted girl".
It comes after a murder investigation was launched following the discovery of “suspected human remains” at a flat in the James Street area of the town.
Ms Mitchell was last seen on CCTV in Ballymena town centre in the early hours of the morning on June 3.
Her brother Philip updated his profile picture on social media on Sunday to a photograph of him with his sister.
"You were always my wee sidekick Chloe sis, me and you were always the life and soul of the party sis, just know I love you more than you can ever imagine party hard sis," he wrote.
"We all love you."
Friends also paid tribute to the young woman, with one pal describing her as "a beautiful girl", while other people wrote of their devastation.
One friend wrote that her "heart is broken", while another said that "no words can describe what's going on, my heart breaks".
Earlier on Monday, North Antrim MP Ian Paisley described Ms Mitchell's death as an "absolute tragedy".
"There is a terrible shadow over the town - the sadness is palpable," he told the BBC.
He extended his condolences to the young woman’s family, adding: “I listen to the words of Chloe’s brother, Phillip, when he said that the family’s broken.
“I think a lot of people will be broken by it. But most importantly, our love and care has to go to the family.”
Mr Paisley also paid tribute to those involved in the search efforts.
“I think it is important to pay a huge thank you and gratitude to the volunteers, the teams of people who went out and searched in hope, only to have despair at the end of that," he added.
Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill also tweeted her support for Ms Mitchell's family, friends and the local community.
“My heart goes out to the family, friends and local community to which Chloe Mitchell proudly loved and belonged, as they come to terms with the devastating news," she wrote.
SDLP justice spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin said that it was "just heartbreaking that such a young life has been taken".
"My heart goes out to the family and friends of Chloe Mitchell at this truly awful time," she said.
A 26-year-old man has appeared in court accused of murdering Ms Mitchell.
A 34-year-old man is also charged with attempting to impede justice by concealing evidence around the alleged murder.
