Britain's Darkest Taboos

Gun Fanatic Shoots Dead His Family (2x6)

: 13, 2013

On New Year’s Day 2012, suicidal taxi driver, Michael Atherton, went on a destructive shooting spree in his family home in Horden, killing three women before pulling the trigger on himself. Among the victims were his partner, Susan McGoldrick, her niece, Tanya Turnbull, and Tanya’s mother, Alison Turnbull. Atherton was allowed to keep six guns in the family home. When Susan tried to leave Michael to start a new life, he committed a horrific late-night killing rampage inside the family home. Susan’s daughter, Laura McGoldrick, witnessed the bloodbath and survived only by escaping through a first-floor window and jumping to safety. The bloodsoaked teenager then raised the alarm. This episode reveals how the family members left behind following the horrific gun attack are still coming to terms with the events that took place, as well as following their endless campaign to change gun licensing laws in the UK.