By Lucy Thornton,Zahra Khaliq

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A man accused of killing a mum and her three young children in a house fire has been found dead in his prison cell. Mohammed Shabir, 45, was due to stand trial for the murders of Bryonie Gawith, 29, and her children, Denisty Birtle, nine, Oscar Birtle, five, and 22-month-old Aubree Birtle. All three died in a devastating blaze that tore through their family home in Bradford on August 21 last year. Shabir was charged along with two other men, Sharaz Ali, 40, and Calum Sunderland, 26 – all accused of the four murders, along with the attempted murder of Bryonie’s sister and Mr Ali’s ex-partner, Antonia Gawith. The trio, all from Keighley, West Yorkshire, denied the charges. Shocking footage captured the moment the home was engulfed by flames in the early hours of the morning. Horrified neighbours told how they heard “screams” coming from the property and saw smoke “billowing out of the house,” which was soon surrounded by fire engines and a ambulances. Shabir, Ali and Sunderland were later arrested and accused of murder. It has now been confirmed that Shabir was found dead at HMP Leeds on Wednesday. The Prison Service said they would be launching an investigation into his death. A spokesperson said: “Mohammed Shabir died on 24 September 2025 at HMP Leeds. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.” One relative of the children’s father wrote on Facebook after the news emerged: “Shame he’s escaped the punishment that he could be receiving.” A day after the fire, Bryonie’s devastated mum broke down in tears as she read tributes left at her daughter’s house. She was comforted by other close relatives and loved ones as she inspected a sea of flowers, cards and teddies left in memory of the family. One note read: “To Bryony [sic], Denisty, Oscar + Aubree. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Have fun in heaven. We will miss you.” Another card left by Denisty’s teacher said: “The stars will shine that little bit brighter in the sky tonight. My heart is broken for all of your family and friends. Denisty, you were such a lovely, polite girl, the best big sister to Oscar. Oscar, what can I say? “With your blonde hair and cheeky face, you had a smile that lit up the classroom. I will always remember that cheeky smile. RIP.” In a heartbreaking statement issued after the deaths, Bryonie’s family said: “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. “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 [….] Also our thoughts and support are for the father of our three babies.”