Mohammed Shabir, 45, one of three men accused of murdering a mother and her three children in a tragic house fire, died of a heart attack while on remand at HMP Leeds. The incident occurred just minutes after a visit from his family, and Shabir was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
What Happened
Mohammed Shabir, who was charged with the murder of Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her three children, died on September 24, 2025, after collapsing at HMP Leeds. The inquest heard that Shabir had been visited by family members earlier that day, and they described him as being his “usual self” despite having gained weight during his time in prison.
Shabir was awaiting trial for the murders of Bryonie and her three children—Denisty Birtle, 9, Oscar Birtle, 5, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle—who tragically perished in a house fire on Westbury Road, Bradford, on August 21, 2024. Shabir, along with two other men, was charged with their deaths and was awaiting trial.
The inquest revealed that after the visit, Shabir was seen struggling to walk up stairs and appeared breathless. He collapsed shortly thereafter at 4:45 p.m., and an ambulance was called. He was transported to Leeds General Infirmary, where his condition worsened, and he went into cardiac arrest before surgery. He was pronounced dead just before 9:30 p.m.
Investigation and Concerns
Shabir’s family expressed concerns about possible neglect in prison and questioned the delay in getting him medical attention. Although an ambulance was called at 4:48 p.m., it took until 5:17 p.m. for paramedics to arrive. The coroner’s report revealed that Shabir had asthma, and his family feared that proper treatment might not have been administered while he was in custody.
The coroner’s report indicated that Shabir had regular asthma reviews and prescribed medication, and no exacerbations of his condition were noted in his medical records. The coroner concluded that Shabir’s death was from natural causes, specifically a heart attack.
The Ongoing Trial
While Shabir passed away before his trial, his co-defendants, Sharaz Ali, 40, and Calum Sunderland, 26, are still set to stand trial next month at Bradford Crown Court. They face charges of murder and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Bryonie’s sister, Antonia Gawith. Both men deny the charges.
Closing Line:
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available. The tragic deaths of Bryonie Gawith and her three children continue to have a lasting impact, and their families await justice.
