A man who was facing trial for the alleged murders of a mother and her three children in a house fire has been discovered dead in his prison cell. Mohammed Shabir, aged 45, was implicated in the deaths of Bryonie Gawith, 29, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle, who tragically perished in a devastating fire that ravaged their Bradford home on August 21 last year. Alongside two other individuals, Sharaz Ali, 40, and Calum Sunderland, 26, Shabir was accused of the four murders and the attempted murder of Bryonie’s sister and Ali’s ex-partner, Antonia Gawith. The trio, all from Keighley, West Yorkshire, denied the allegations.
Footage captured the distressing scene as the residence was engulfed in flames during the early morning hours. Residents nearby recounted hearing screams emanating from the property and witnessing thick smoke billowing out before the arrival of fire trucks and ambulances. Subsequently, Shabir, Ali, and Sunderland were apprehended and charged with murder.
It has now been confirmed that Shabir was found deceased at HMP Leeds on Wednesday. The Prison Service announced plans to conduct an inquiry into his passing. A spokesperson stated, “Mohammed Shabir passed away on September 24, 2025, at HMP Leeds. As is customary for all in-custody deaths, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation.”
Following the revelation, a relative of the children’s father expressed on Facebook, “Shame he’s escaped the punishment that he could be receiving.”
The day after the tragic event, Bryonie’s grieving mother broke down in tears while reading the tributes left at her daughter’s residence. Surrounded by close family members and friends, she observed the sea of flowers, cards, and stuffed animals left in memory of the family.
Heartfelt messages included one that read, “To Bryony, Denisty, Oscar + Aubree. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Have fun in heaven. We will miss you.” Another note, left by Denisty’s teacher, conveyed, “The stars will shine that little bit brighter in the sky tonight. My heart is broken for all of your family and friends. Denisty, you were such a lovely, polite girl, the best big sister to Oscar. Oscar, what can I say? With your blonde hair and cheeky face, you had a smile that lit up the classroom. I will always remember that cheeky smile. RIP.”
In a poignant statement released post-tragedy, Bryonie’s family reflected, “B was always a really happy, joyful, bubbly beautiful woman, who cared for everyone and was loved by everyone. Her kids were everything to her, her whole life. We are still trying to comprehend what has happened to our beautiful family. No words can describe how we are feeling and no words could ever make up for the profound loss we are now faced with…. Also, our thoughts and support are for the father of our three babies.”