Residents of Westbury Avenue in Bradford are grappling with profound grief and anger following the tragic deaths of mother Bryonie Gawith and her three children—Denisty, aged nine, Oscar, five, and Aubree Birtle, just 22 months old. The family perished in a deliberate arson attack on their home on August 21, 2024. The horrific incident has left the community deeply traumatized, with some neighbors considering relocation due to the emotional toll.
Witnesses to the aftermath described the scene as a “horror story.” One resident, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed a strong opinion on punishment, suggesting that those guilty of such heinous acts deserve the death penalty, although he acknowledged that it is unlikely to be reinstated in the UK. “The penalty should be life if we are going by the law,” he stated, reflecting on the extreme nature of the crime.
The boarded-up house remains a painful reminder of the tragedy, with ongoing renovations aimed at restoring the property. The neighbor lamented, “What happened was horrendous. Those kids never hurt anyone. I think hanging should be a penalty.” While some residents were too distraught to comment, the sense of loss and anger permeated the community. Another local remarked, “It’s a difficult subject—we all knew her,” and expressed a desire for severe consequences for those responsible.
The arson was perpetrated by Sharaz Ali, 40, who was convicted of four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. His accomplice, Calum Sunderland, was found guilty of four counts of manslaughter. The court heard that Ali sought revenge against his former partner, Antonia Gawith, Bryonie’s sister, who had been staying at the residence after escaping an abusive relationship. Motivated by jealousy and substance abuse, the pair filled a can with fuel at a petrol station in Keighley before driving to Westbury Road in the early hours of that fateful day.
Upon arrival, Sunderland forcibly entered the family home while Ali poured petrol throughout and ignited the flames, trapping Bryonie and her children inside. Despite the brave efforts of emergency services, all four victims succumbed to their injuries. Ali was arrested at the scene, having sustained serious injuries himself, while Sunderland was later located by police in a nearby property.
Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson described the actions of Ali and Sunderland as “horrific and truly callous,” highlighting the profound impact of their crimes on the community. Both perpetrators are awaiting sentencing, which is yet to be determined.
As the community mourns, the tragic loss of Bryonie and her children serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and the urgent need for justice. Local residents continue to seek support and healing in the wake of this unimaginable event.
