Inquests begin into the deaths of Michelle Pearson and her four children in fatal arson attack
5 October 2026
The Pearson family (pictured). Credit: Family Handout.
The inquests into the deaths of Michelle Pearson and her children, Demi, Brandon, Lacie and Lia, will begin today (5 October 2026) at Bolton Coroner’s Court, nearly nine years after the fatal arson attack on their home in Walkden, Greater Manchester.
Garden Court North’s Anna Morris KC is leading Christian Weaver to represent the Pearson family, instructed by Kelly Darlington and Natalie Tolley of Farleys Solicitors LLP.
HM Senior Coroner Timothy Brennand will be hearing the inquests, which are expected to last up to eight weeks. Evidence today will begin with the Pearson family, before moving to other Interested Persons.
A tragic arson attack
Michelle and her family lived in Jackson Street, Walkden, in Salford, Greater Manchester.
At 5am on 11 December 2017, a neighbour called the emergency services, stating that the Pearson family home was on fire and that people were trapped inside. When Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service arrived and attempted to rescue Michelle and her children, the house was already well alight.
Demi, Brandon, Lacie and Lia tragically died as a result of burns and/or the inhalation of smoke. Michelle Pearson, aged 37, died in hospital on 25 August 2019 – some 21 months after the fire, as the consequence of complications of her burns.
The fire had been deliberately started using petrol bombs. Two of the perpetrators of the arson were convicted of the four murders of the children at Manchester Crown Court. They were sentenced to life imprisonment with terms of 40 years and 37 years respectively. Both perpetrators were also convicted of the attempted murder of those who had escaped the fire.
A third defendant pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the four children. Further convictions for murder followed after Michelle’s death in 2019.
The Interested Persons
In 2024, following submissions made by Anna on behalf of the Pearson family, the Coroner made the decision to resume the inquests into the deaths of Michelle and the children, ruling that the investigation engaged Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The family hope that the inquest will thoroughly investigate the family’s concerns in respect of the multiple state agencies involvement with the family prior to the murders.
In 2019, an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation was carried out following the tragic events that occurred at the Pearson family home. in 2025, the IOPC made the decision to reconsider their original investigation surrounding the response of Greater Manchester Police, on the basis that the first investigation was flawed.
The Interested Persons for the inquests have been identified as follows:-
- The Pearson Family
- Greater Manchester Police
- Salford City Council
- Cheshire & Greater Manchester Community Rehabilitation Company
- Independent Office for Police Conduct (“IOPC”)
- Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
- Northern Care Alliance
- Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
- Wigan Social Care
- We Change Lives
- 3L Care Limited
- Salix Homes
Seven officers from Greater Manchester Police have been granted Interested Person Status in their own right, and are separately represented.
Among several other matters to be explored during the inquests, the Senior Coroner will hear expert evidence touching on Michelle’s treatment and care for her burns.
The inquests will also hear evidence from several authorities relating to their investigations and actions in response to Michelle Pearson’s reports of the threat posed to her children prior to the attack.
The Pearson family’s pen portraits
In preparing for the inquests arising from such tragic circumstances, the Pearson family have reflected on their loved ones and have provided ‘pen portraits’ to the Coroner. These are expected to be read on the first day of the inquest.
“Demi – she had a cheeky streak but a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. Michelle would say that her smile would let her get away with anything! She was 15 years old when she died.”
“Brandon – a genius, with an infectious smile that lit up the room! He was a mummy’s boy. Brandon was eight years old at the time of his death.”
“Lacie – our little diva, she danced from the moment she woke up, to the moment she went to sleep. So loving and everyone’s friend. Lacie was seven years old when she died.”
“Lia – had a smile that would melt your heart, she was a little chatterbox! She was Michelle’s ‘little girl’ – so loving and caring, with her blonde curls and bluest of eyes. Lia was just three years old when she passed.”
“Michelle – had the biggest heart and the loudest laugh. She was a devoted mum and loved nothing more than playing with the children and enjoying the sunshine in the back garden, with a BBQ, or watching them have fun at the local park and lake. She would read them a story every night before bed.”
“It is hard to sum up all the cherished memories we shared with Michelle. The amount of love cannot be put into words. All the children had such bright futures ahead of them. We miss them every day.”
Anna and Christian are instructed to represent the Pearson family by Kelly Darlington and Natalie Tolley of Farleys Solicitors LLP.
The Pearson family wish to be afforded respect and privacy while the inquest is ongoing, and media requests must be sent through the family’s legal team.
Additional media
Farleys Solicitors LLP – Inquest into the Deaths of Michelle Pearson and her Four Children Due to Commence
ITV News – Inquest to be held nearly nine years after family murdered in arson attack in Greater Manchester
IOPC – IOPC reinvestigation following fatal fire in Salford
BBC News – Walkden fire: Child-killers sentenced for murdering mum
For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk
