UPDATE: The chilling case of the Eriksson twins, who shocked the UK in May 2008, is back in the spotlight as a new Channel 5 documentary explores the harrowing events leading to the tragic death of a Good Samaritan. Witnesses reported that the sisters, Ursula and Sabina Eriksson, exhibited what some described as “superhuman strength” during a chaotic scene on the M6 motorway.
The two-part series, titled Twisted Sisters: Madness and Manslaughter, delves into a rare psychological phenomenon known as folie a deux, or shared psychosis. This documentary aims to shed light on the disturbing actions that unfolded when the twins ran into oncoming traffic, resulting in a devastating chain of events.
On June 6, 2008, the 40-year-old sisters had arrived in the UK after leaving Sabina’s home in Ireland. After displaying erratic behavior, they were filmed by BBC crews sprinting into busy motorway traffic. Ursula was struck by a truck, while Sabina was hit by a Volkswagen Polo, raising fears that both had died. Against all odds, they survived but not without further violence.
Witness Richard Cussons described their post-crash behavior as almost superhuman. “To me, that wasn’t really human,” he stated, highlighting their violent reactions when emergency services attempted to assist them. Following their hospital treatment, Sabina was taken into police custody but released the next day after pleading guilty to minor charges.
Tragedy struck when Sabina, while searching for her sister, encountered Glenn Hollinshead, a 54-year-old former RAF paramedic who offered her help. In a shocking turn of events, Sabina fatally stabbed Hollinshead four times with a kitchen knife after he attempted to assist her, leading to his death in a nearby alley.
Witnesses reported that Hollinshead managed to cry out, “she stabbed me,” before collapsing. Sabina’s escape was marked by further violence, including self-inflicted injuries and assaults on other individuals before her apprehension by police while recuperating in a hospital.
Forensic psychologist Carol McDaniel revealed that specialists diagnosed Sabina with a serious mental health issue linked to her sister’s influence. “Their diagnosis was folie a deux,” she explained, emphasizing how intimate relationships can lead to shared delusions and behaviors.
Authorities confirmed that Sabina underwent a mental health assessment but was not sectioned for treatment. Ultimately, she was convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and sentenced to five years in prison. Reports suggest that she has since returned to Sweden, while Ursula is believed to be living in a close-knit Christian community in the United States.
This gripping case continues to resonate, raising questions about mental health, shared psychosis, and the impact of trauma on individuals and families. The documentary promises to be a deep dive into a story that remains both tragic and compelling, captivating audiences as it reexamines the dark events of that fateful day on the M6.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, and watch Twisted Sisters: Madness and Manslaughter for an in-depth analysis of this extraordinary case.
