UPDATE: A new Channel 5 documentary is reigniting interest in the chilling case of twin sisters Ursula and Sabina Eriksson, who were involved in a shocking crime spree on the M6 motorway in 2008. The two-part series, titled Twisted Sisters: Madness and Manslaughter, delves into the psychological phenomenon known as folie à deux, or shared psychosis, which experts say influenced the sisters’ actions.
Witnesses recall the harrowing scene as the sisters sprinted into oncoming traffic, leading to the fatal stabbing of Glenn Hollinshead, a 54-year-old former RAF paramedic. The incident occurred shortly after the twins arrived in North-west England, having traveled from Ireland. Initial strange behaviors prompted their bus driver to make an emergency stop at an M6 service station, where the sisters were filmed running into traffic by the BBC’s Motorway Cops.
On May 2008, Ursula dashed into the busy motorway, resulting in her being struck by a truck. Her sister, Sabina, followed suit and was hit by a Volkswagen Polo. Miraculously, both sisters survived the horrific crash but displayed alarming behavior upon regaining consciousness. Witness Richard Cussons described Sabina as exhibiting “superhuman strength” after she assaulted a female traffic officer.
Following their release from medical care, Sabina encountered Hollinshead while searching for her sister in Stoke-on-Trent. Showing compassion, he invited her to stay at his home on Duke Street. Tragically, the situation escalated when Sabina stabbed Hollinshead four times with a kitchen knife, leading to his death shortly thereafter. As he staggered outside, he managed to inform a neighbor, “she stabbed me,” before collapsing.
Sabina’s erratic behavior did not end there. After fleeing the scene, she attacked another driver and inflicted injuries on herself before police apprehended her on June 6, 2008, while she was hospitalized. Forensic psychologist Carol McDaniel revealed that both sisters exhibited signs of a serious mental health issue linked to their close bond. “Their diagnosis was folie à deux,” she explained, highlighting the psychological connection that likely influenced their violent actions.
Authorities have confirmed that Sabina, despite her violent crime, was released after only a brief stint in custody. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and received a five-year prison sentence. Reports suggest she has since returned to Sweden, while Ursula is believed to be living in a “close-knit Christian community” in the United States.
This disturbing case continues to raise questions about mental health and the justice system’s response to individuals in crisis. The documentary aims to dissect the events leading to the tragedy and the implications of shared psychosis on violent behavior. As new details emerge, viewers are encouraged to reflect on the psychological complexities of the Eriksson twins and the tragic consequences of their actions.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the impact of the documentary on public understanding of mental health issues.
