Further Arrests Made in Connection with Murder Investigation, Westbury Road, Bradford

Saturday 24 August 2024

Detectives investigating a house fire in which four people died in Bradford have made further arrests.

Overnight a number of warrants were executed in the Keighley area in relation to the murder investigation on Westbury Road on Wednesday 21 August.

Bryonie Gawith aged 29, and her three children - Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five-, and 22-month-old, Aubree Birtle - died after their home was deliberately set alight in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Two men aged 36 and 45 years old were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody at this time.

Scenes remain in place for searches at a number of addresses on Carlby Grove, Carlton Street, Malsis Road and Minnie Street.

A 39 year old man who was arrested at the scene on Wednesday on suspicion of murder remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson of the Homicide and Major Enquiry team said:

"Extensive enquiries remain ongoing today in what is very much a live and active investigation.

"Specialist officers are continuing to support the family. They are understandably devastated at their loss, and we would ask that their privacy is respected.

"We are continuing to appeal for any information in relation to the fire, and keen to speak to anyone who might have any information to come forward."

Anyone who can assist our investigation is asked to contact us via 101 or use the live chat facility https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat quoting log 107 of 21 August.

Information can also be given anonymously via the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Thursday, 22 August 2024

The family of Bryonie Gawith, also known as B, and her three children who sadly died in a house fire in Bradford in the early hours of yesterday (Wednesday 21 August) have released a statement in tribute to them.

It reads:

"Our B was the life and soul of the party, music was a big part of her life, she loved music, singing and dancing, she would always be singing and dancing with Chuch, Oggy and Strawberry.

"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. Oggy had the cheekiest smile, he was cheeky but he was a shy boy, Strawbs was shy and bashful with big blue eyes and blonde hair and Chuch was a beautiful, confident, outgoing and creative young girl.

"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.

"We are overwhelmed and grateful for all the support and kind words we are receiving, but we ask as a family if we can be given the respect and privacy so we can try to come to terms with the unimaginable sadness and grief of this tragic loss of our beautiful family.

"Also our thoughts and support for the father of our three babies. Please allow him peace to grieve and come to terms with the loss of his family."

The children's father, Jonathan, has also released a statement this evening. It reads:

"I am absolutely distraught at the sudden loss of my fiancée, Bryonie and our three beautiful children.

"Bryonie and I were together for a long time, and we had a good life together.

"She was a beautiful woman and a loving mother to Oscar, Aubree and Denisty.

"I loved them with all my heart and if I had the chance, I would take their place in a heartbeat. I cannot imagine life without them.

"They will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart."

Due to speculation online surrounding the fire, we are keen to address some of the rumours.

Bryonie Gawith, and her three children - Denisty, Oscar and Aubree Birtle - died after their Westbury Road home was deliberately set alight.

A 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. This man is the ex-partner of a woman who was visiting the family. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Uniformed officers had visited the address last month due to an unrelated matter. Therefore, we will not be making a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Specialist officers continue to support the family, including Bryonie's partner Jonathan. They are understandably devastated at their loss and we ask that their privacy is respected. Please be mindful of the distress that speculation can cause.

We continue to appeal for information in relation to the fire. Anyone who can assist our investigation is asked to contact us via 101 or use the live chat facility https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat, quoting log 107 of 21 August.

Information can also be given anonymously via the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.