Mother Died Holding Photo of Children After House Torched in Arson Attack, Inquest Told

Michelle Pearson, 37, died holding a photograph of her four murdered children, more than a year and a half after they perished in a house fire caused by an arson attack, an inquest has heard. Pearson suffered 68% burns in the December 2017 blaze that killed her children Demi, 15, Brandon, eight, Lacie, seven, and Lia, three. She passed away in August 2019.

The inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court heard that Pearson died with a crucifix in her hand, clutching a photo of her children. Her mother, Sandra Lever, stated in a court document that her daughter was "beyond distressed" and "petrified" in the weeks leading up to the attack due to escalating incidents at their home. Pearson had reported smashed windows, a bin fire, and graffiti on her house as part of a feud.

Pearson had sought alternative accommodation, but felt she was "fobbed off" by a housing provider who told her she did not meet the criteria for emergency housing. A neighbor, Elaine Williams, testified that she witnessed Zak Bolland, one of the convicted attackers, smashing Pearson's windows with a hammer weeks before the fatal incident. Williams added that Pearson "wanted to move from there. She was fed up of all the trouble. She just wanted out."

Relatives of the family believe the deaths were "wholly preventable" and have raised concerns about "missed opportunities" by state agencies to protect them. Timothy Brennand, senior coroner for Greater Manchester West, stated that the inquest, expected to last eight weeks, aims to determine if there was any "predictable threat to life" and "what could or should have been done that might have prevented these deaths."

Zak Bolland and David Worrall were found guilty of all five murders and sentenced to life imprisonment. Mr. Justice Davis, who jailed the pair, determined that a series of tit-for-tat attacks had occurred as part of a feud prior to the firebombing, though the underlying cause of the dispute was not publicly disclosed. Bolland received a minimum sentence of 40 years, and Worrall 37 years. Bolland's girlfriend, Courtney Brierley, received 21 years for four counts of manslaughter.

Pen portraits of the victims were read aloud. Michelle Pearson was described as a devoted mother. After sustaining massive injuries, she was initially unaware her children had died but her mental health declined significantly after being informed. A statement from the family read, "We know she's back with her children and out of pain." Demi was a "happy, smiley child" and best friends with her mother. Brandon was a "mummy's boy," Lacie a "little diva," and Lia a "little chatterbox." The family statement concluded, "All of the children had such bright futures ahead of them. We cherish the short time we shared with them."