Four Found Dead In Horden Shootings

Four people found dead after a shooting in Horden, County Durham just before midnight on New Year’s Day have been named.

Police say they found the bodies in a house on Greenside Avenue just before midnight on New Year’s Day, they are all thought to have been either related or known to each other and died of gun shot wounds.

Officers attended the scene within minutes after receiving distressed calls from local residents.

The three women and one man were found in different downstairs rooms of the house, a shotgun was reportedly found next to the man’s body.

The taxi driver believed to have been in his 40′s was the holder of a fire arms license, it is thought he killed the three women before taking his own life.

He has been named locally as Michael Atherton, also among the dead is his partner Susan McGoldrick along with her sister Alison Turnbull and niece Tanya Turnbull, all of whom suffered gun shot wounds.

Survivor Laura McGoldrick who is in her early 20′s was discovered with injuries at another property on Greenside Avenue. She escaped the building through an upstairs window and is helping police with inquires.

She has been treated for injuries and is believed to have been related to one of the victims and has since been discharged from North Tees Hospital in Stockton.

The area has since been cordoned off as forensic investigations take place at the semi-detached property. Officers say they are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.

Durham Police held a news conference at 11:30 reassuring the public that Officers had matters under control.

107 Spark FM will be looking back at the day’s events tomorrow lunch time (Jan 3rd) on The Edition from 12pm.