Woodmancote murders: Firearms laws to be re-examined after deaths of family

The bodies of Robert Needham and his partner Kelly Fitzgibbons were found along with those of children Ave Needham, aged four, and Lexi Needham, aged two, at their home.

It is believed the 42-year-old then shot himself in the head in Woodmancote, near Chichester, on March 29, 2020.

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How the father came to hold a firearms licence is to be examined at an inquest.

Kelly Fitzgibbons, four-year-old Ava Needham and two-year-old Lexi Needham

At a hearing on Monday, Ms Fitzgibbons, 40, was described by her twin sister Emma Ambler as “wonderful and special”, who said her loss “left a hole in our hearts”.

Speaking at the hearing, senior coroner Penelope Schofield said that firearms laws would be put under the microscope in relation to the deaths.

She said the inquest would consider “Needham’s mental and physical health and any matters that may have had a bearing on his state of mind”.

It will also examine “circumstances that led to Needham holding a firearms licence and having access to a shotgun”, coroner Schofield said.

Duffield Lane, Woodmancote

At the hearing, parallels were drawn between the Woodmancote murders and those in the shooting in Plymouth last month, where firearms legislation has also been under the spotlight.

The Home Office is expected to be involved in the inquest in relation to its involvement in setting national firearms policy.

In April last year, police announced that following post-mortem examinations, the provisional causes of deaths for the family were “injuries consistent with gunshot wounds”.

At the time of the incident, Sussex Police said they believed the killings were an isolated incident and nobody else was being sought in connection with the deaths.

Robert Needham and Kelly Fitzgibbons

In a tribute, Ms Ambler said: “Kelly was a wonderful and special person. She was kind, caring, funny and always smiling with an amazing love for life.

“Kelly was a dedicated and loving mother and adored Rob and her two beautiful children. She had many friends and was devoted to her friends and family.

“Kelly will be missed by so many people and has left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled.”

The inquest is expected to take place in May next year, with a final decision on a jury yet to be made.

It is understood that the family Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bill was also shot dead at the family’s £500,000 property in Duffield Lane on March 29.

The two young daughters died from shotgun wounds to the head and chest.

Needham, a builder, died from shotgun injuries to his neck and head.