Lisa Banfield, the spouse of the man responsible for the Portapique mass shooting in Nova Scotia, is set to release a memoir detailing the abuse she faced during their relationship. Titled "The First Survivor: Life with Canada’s Deadliest Mass Shooter," the book is scheduled for publication on January 20, 2026, by Sutherland House.

Gabriel Wortman, a denturist, killed 22 people over a 13-hour period in April 2020. The violence escalated after a dispute with Banfield, prompting her to flee into the woods as he set their cottage on fire and fired shots at her. A press release from the publisher states, "On April 18, 2020, Lisa Banfield’s life shattered. After nineteen years in a controlling and often abusive relationship, she escaped a violent assault by her partner, Gabriel Wortman — unaware he was about to carry out the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history."

Wortman, 51, used a replica RCMP cruiser and wore a police uniform during his attack, which began in Portapique, Colchester County. He murdered 22 individuals, including a pregnant woman, before being shot dead by a police officer the following morning.

The memoir, co-authored by Banfield, her sister Maureen Banfield, and journalist Sherri Aikenhead, aims to share her story for the first time. It recounts her experiences of intimate partner violence and the harrowing night she escaped into the freezing woods as Wortman began his rampage.

According to the publisher, Banfield's memoir serves as more than just a personal narrative; it is described as a call to action. It reflects on the societal failures in supporting and understanding survivors of domestic abuse. The book is characterized as a powerful account of trauma, survival, and Banfield's journey to reclaim her voice and redefine her life.

Kenneth Whyte, president of Sutherland House, noted that the book "changes the way we understand both the tragedy of April 2020 and the private realities of intimate partner violence."

Criminal charges against Banfield, her brother, and brother-in-law for providing Wortman with ammunition were eventually dismissed after they opted for restorative justice.