Walking home saved man Horden slayings

Jan 8 2012 by Neil McKay, Sunday Sun

A TWIST of fate meant the partner of one of triple killer Michael Atherton’s victims was spared the bloodbath in Horden.

Alison Turnbull’s partner had enjoyed a night out with Alison, 44, her daughter Tanya Turnbull, 24, her sister Susan McGoldrick, 47, and other friends at Horden Rugby Club on New Year’s Day.

But when it came to get a taxi home he said he would walk as there wasn’t enough room in the cab.

And minutes later he walked in on a scene of utter carnage as crazed Atherton had murdered his partner Susan, her sister Alison and daughter Tanya.

The man then tried desperately to revive Alison, becoming coated in her blood as he did.

When police arrived the County Durham house of horrors he emerged covered in blood and was promptly arrested.

Det Supt Paul Goundry, the officer in charge of the investigation into the four deaths, said: “Alison’s partner returned at the worst possible time, just after midnight.

“The horror he witnessed is unimaginable. He walked into the house to find carnage - four dead bodies spread through the house. He was the first person on the scene.

“He had tried to revive Alison but there was nothing he could have done. When paramedics arrived they were greeted by the sight of Alison’s partner emerging from the front door covered in blood and obviously very agitated.

“When officers arrived they arrested him. It took some hours to begin to piece together what had happened.”