Husband mur𝗗𝗘r Wife and Two Beautiful Daughters | The Horrifying Case of Robert Needham

There is no crime more inexplicable than when a person k!lls their own family. From the producers of one of Netflix’s most watched documentary films, American Murder, and ITV’s Social Media mur𝗗𝗘r, comes a new prime-time true crime series, using the victim’s own archival footage – from social media posts and phone recordings to CCTV and family videos – to piece each story together from the victim’s point of view. Told without voiceover, allowing the victim, friends and family to tell their stories in their own immediate and intimate way.

Behind Closed Doors: The Chilling Family Murder of Robert Needham

Snapshots of Happiness Before Tragedy

In family videos, Kelly Fitz Gibbons beams with her two daughters, Ava and Lexi, and partner Robert Needham. Everyday moments—laughter, cuddles, birthday wishes, countryside walks—paint a picture of a loving, ordinary family. No one could have imagined that, just days later, their home would become the scene of an unimaginable tragedy.

In March 2020, just six days into England’s COVID-19 lockdown, builder Robert Needham used his legally-owned shotgun to k!ll Kelly and their daughters, Ava (4) and Lexi (2), before turning the gun on himself. Sussex Police discovered the bodies in their Woodmancote home, along with the family’s beloved dog, also k!lled.

No Warning Signs

What makes this case so haunting is the absence of any warning signs. Robert had no criminal record, no history of domestic violence, and friends and family saw nothing amiss.

Kelly and her twin sister Emma were inseparable—the “twins everyone wanted to be friends with.” When Kelly met Robert, she found stability: a quiet, dependable man who seemed to adore her. They built a life together, welcoming Ava and Lexi into their world. Kelly relished motherhood; Robert was seen as a gentle, loving father.

The Darkness Beneath

But behind this peaceful facade were secrets no one suspected. For over twenty years, Robert struggled with mental health issues: depression, anxiety, and a chronic cocaine addiction. None of this was disclosed when he applied for a gun license. He lied on his application, and the system failed to catch it.

Kelly never doubted him. She believed they were an average, happy family. Yet, Robert’s behavior was changing. He spent more time away, working or fishing, sometimes choosing to stay out even when he could come home. Friends noticed he rarely talked about his feelings and seemed increasingly withdrawn.

A Chilling Plan Unfolds

In the weeks before the mur𝗗𝗘r, Kelly and Robert’s relationship showed signs of strain. Text messages revealed Kelly was unhappy with how much time Robert spent away and threatened to leave him, though friends believe she wouldn’t have gone through with it.

Financial pressures mounted. Robert’s building business had closed, leaving debts, but family members didn’t believe money worries were severe. Still, the stress of lockdown and personal issues may have weighed heavily on him.

On the morning of March 28, 2020, Robert assembled a playhouse for the girls—a final act of normalcy. That evening, the family ate a Chinese meal together. Kelly put the girls to bed in the master bedroom, as usual. At some point, Robert retrieved the shotgun. Forensic evidence shows he shot the girls at close range while they slept, then shot Kelly as she rushed to them, and finally k!lled the dog and himself.

Unanswered Questions

There were no drugs or significant alcohol in Robert’s system at the time—he was clear-headed, and the mur𝗗𝗘r were meticulously planned. Even now, the motive remains unclear. Was it mental illness, financial stress, or something darker? The coroner’s inquest found that Robert had lied on his gun license application, failing to disclose decades of mental health struggles. The system’s flaws allowed him access to the weapon that destroyed his family.

A Family Forever Changed

Kelly’s twin sister Emma described the loss as “almost incomprehensible.” Living without her best friend and the two little girls takes all her strength. The family calls for stricter gun licensing, hoping no other family will suffer as they have.

“Integrity is everything,” says one investigator. “A lack of integrity should exclude anyone from holding the privilege of a firearm license.”

A Cautionary Tale

The story of Robert Needham and his family is pieced together from social media posts, phone recordings, CCTV, and family videos—told in their own voices, without narration. It’s a devastating reminder that even the happiest-looking families can hide unimaginable pain, and that the systems meant to protect us must never take anything at face value.

Every day, Emma walks past parks filled with children, reminded of what was lost. “Sometimes it hits you like a wave—they’re not here anymore,” she says. But she and her father fight on, determined that their tragedy will lead to change.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or family violence, please reach out for help. There is hope, and there is support.