✕CloseEpsom College’s headteacher talks about ‘family changes’ in podcast before death
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Police suspect the husband of Epsom College's late headteacher killed his wife and their seven-year-old daughter before taking his own life, The Independent understands.
A gun found alongside the bodies at their home in the private school’s grounds on Sunday was registered to George Pattison, husband of Emma and father of Lettie, police said.
The Times reported that Ms Pattison had contacted a close relative with concerns about her husband in the hours before the deaths.
Officers from Surrey Police said they were in contact with Mr Pattison three days before the deaths after he registered a change of address, as firearms owners are required to.
Tributes poured in from colleagues of “respected” Ms Pattison and Lettie, who was described as “perfect” by a former babysitter.
Dr Alastair Wells of Epsom College expressed the school’s “utter shock and disbelief” after the incident.
“Our immediate thoughts and condolences are with Emma's family, friends and loved ones, and to the many pupils and colleagues whose lives she enriched throughout her distinguished career,” he said.
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Police suspect Epsom College deaths were double-murder suicide
Police suspect the husband of Epsom College’s late headteacher killed his wife and their seven-year-old daughter died in a double-murder suicide, The Independent understands.
Officers said they found a gun alongside the bodies that was registered to George Pattison, husband of Emma and father of Lettie, police said.
It is believed Mr Pattison killed his family members before shooting himself, according to the BBC.
Epsom College head Emma Pattison, 45, her husband George, 39, and their daughter Lettie, seven
(PA)
Liam James7 February 2023 12:321675792895
Map showing Epsom College and Pattison home locations
Joe Middleton7 February 2023 18:011675789401
Epsom College's headteacher talks about ‘family changes’ in podcast before death
✕Epsom College's headteacher talks about ‘family changes’ in podcast before deathJoe Middleton7 February 2023 17:031675785412
Epsom College: All we know about elite £42,000 a year school
Staff and pupils at Epsom College are grieving after their headteacher was found dead with her husband and seven-year-old daughter.
Emily Atkinson looks at the elite Surrey school that is reeling in shock:
Epsom College: Inside the £42K a year school where headteacher and family found dead
Surrey Police says it is treating the family’s deaths as an ‘isolated incident’
Joe Middleton7 February 2023 15:561675782138
What have the police said today?
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, Senior Investigating Officer on the case, said: “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point.
“We understand the public concern and upset, and we will clarify what we can, when we can, while respecting the right to a level of privacy for the families of those who have lost their lives.
“We are cooperating fully with the IOPC in relation to the referral we have made, and we await the outcome of its assessment of what further action may be required. Until this has been completed, we will be unable to provide further details on a number of matters.”
Police outside Epsom College, in Surrey
(PA)
Joe Middleton7 February 2023 15:021675778421
Cause of death can’t be confirmed yet say police
Police said the cause of the deaths of an Epsom College headteacher, her husband and her daughter cannot be confirmed until a post-mortem has been completed.
Officers suspect George Pattison killed his wife Emma and their seven-year-old daughter Lettie. A gun registered to Mr Pattison was found at the scene.
A Surrey Police spokesperson said: “An investigation is being carried out to establish the full chronology and circumstances of the incident. At this stage, officers are confident there is no third-party involvement and there is no wider threat or risk to the community.
“A firearm was found at the scene and has been recovered by officers, however, causes of death will not be confirmed until post-mortems have been completed later this week.”
Police outside Epsom College in Surrey
(PA)
Liam James7 February 2023 14:001675776621
Emma Pattison told relative of concern for husband hours before death
Emma Pattison contacted a close relative with concerns about her husband in the hours before her death, The Times reports.
The relative later went to the family home on the grounds of Epsom College and found Emma, her husband George and their seven-year-old daughter dead.
Police believe Mr Pattison killed Epsom College head and their seven-year-old daughter before taking his own life.
Map shows the Pattison family home on the Epsom College grounds
(Bluesky/Getmapping PLC/Infoterra Ltd/Maxar/The GeoInformation Group/Google/The Independent)
Liam James7 February 2023 13:301675774221
Emma Pattison’s husband contacted police over gun licence days before deaths
Surrey Police have referred themselves to a watchdog after a murder-suicide left a family of three dead.
Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead alongside her seven-year-old daughter Lettie and husband, George, at their home in the grounds of the private school in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Investigators said a gun registered to Mr Pattison was found at the scene, but that the causes of death would not be officially confirmed until post-mortems have been completed.
He had contacted Surrey Police over his firearms licence just over two days before the killings.
Emma Pattison’s husband contacted police over gun licence days before deaths
Surrey Police have referred themselves to a watchdog after a murder-suicide left a family of three dead.
Liam James7 February 2023 12:501675770112
Epsom College deaths ‘suspected to be double-murder suicide'
Police suspect Epsom College’s late headteacher was killed alongside her daughter in a double-murder suicide at the hands of her husband.
The BBC reports that Surrey Police are investigating whether George Pattison killed his family members at their home in the grounds of the Surrey private school where they were found on Sunday.
Gunshots were reportedly heard on the grounds, prompting a staff member to call police.
The father is reported to have updated his gun licence shortly before the deaths.
Liam James7 February 2023 11:411675768821
Epsom College: All we know about elite £42,000 a year school
Staff and pupils at Epsom College are grieving after their headteacher was found dead with her husband and seven-year-old daughter.
Emily Atkinson looks at the elite Surrey school that is reeling in shock:
Epsom College: Inside the £42K a year school where headteacher and family found dead
Surrey Police says it is treating the family’s deaths as an ‘isolated incident’
Liam James7 February 2023 11:20
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