Funeral Of Horden Shooting Victims Takes Place

11 January 2012, 05:57 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

The joint funeral of the three people who were shot dead in Horden on New Year's Day takes place later.

A private service is being held for 47 year old Susan McGoldrick, her sister, 44 year old Alison Turnbull, and her niece, 24 year old Tanya Turnbull, who were murdered on New Year's Day by Susan McGoldrick's partner Michael Atherton.

Taxi-driver Atherton then shot himself with his legally-owned shotgun at the couple's semi-detached home in Horden near Peterlee in County Durham.

His funeral's being held tomorrow.

Pictured: 47 year old Susan McGoldrick

Pictured: 24 year old Tanya Turnbull

Pictured: 44 year old Alison Turnbull

Following a search of the house, and his car, police recovered six firearms which he was legally entitled to hold on his shotgun and section one firearms certificates.

Three air rifles and one air pistol were also recovered from the property. 

Durham Police said the couple had a "volatile relationship'' and confirmed officers dealt with four domestic violence complaints in a two-year period.

He had been out on New Year's Day separately from his partner and, following a row, Atherton left the room to get a shotgun from his car and began shooting before killing himself.