Lisa Banfield, Spouse of Portapique Shooter, to Release Memoir on Domestic Abuse
Lisa Banfield, the spouse of Gabriel Wortman, the man responsible for the Portapique, N.S. mass shooting, is set to publish a memoir detailing the abuse she suffered during their relationship. The book, titled “The First Survivor: Life with Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooter,” is scheduled for release in January by Sutherland House.
A Personal Account of Abuse and Trauma
The memoir recounts Banfield’s experiences with Gabriel Wortman, her common-law partner of 19 years. Wortman’s rampage began on April 18, 2020, after he assaulted Banfield. Over the following 13 hours, he tragically killed 22 people in Portapique and surrounding areas of Nova Scotia.
Collaboration and Publication
Banfield collaborated on the book with her sister, Maureen Banfield, and journalist Sherri Aikenhead. Sutherland House describes "The First Survivor" as both a deeply personal account and an urgent call to action. It aims to fundamentally change how society responds to victims of intimate partner violence. The book seeks to amplify the voices and experiences of survivors and to challenge systemic issues related to domestic abuse.
Publication Date and Impact
“The First Survivor: Life with Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooter” is slated for publication on January 20, 2026. The memoir is expected to shed light on the complexities of intimate partner violence and its devastating consequences, while advocating for improved support and resources for survivors.
