The headteacher of Epsom College 'made a distressed phone call' to a relative before she and her seven-year-old daughter were shot dead by her husband, according to reports.
Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead with her husband George Pattison, 39, and their daughter Lettie at their home in the grounds of the school in Surrey on Sunday. Mr Pattison is believed to have shot his wife and daughter, before turning the gun on himself.
Some time late on Saturday evening, Mrs Pattison is believed to have called the relative. But by the time the family member arrived, all three were dead.
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On Tuesday, Surrey Police confirmed that officers have launched a homicide investigation with the deaths being investigated as a possible murder-suicide. The force said Mr Pattison legally owned a gun that was discovered at the scene of the tragedy.
Causes of death will not be confirmed until post-mortem examinations are carried out later this week, police added. Mr Pattison had been in contact with Surrey Police just days before the killings about his gun licence in order to change his address after the family moved to the school site from Caterham.
A statement from the force said: "We had contact with George on February 2 after he notified us of a previous change of address, as is routine. Due to the short period of time between that contact and this incident, we have made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”
The IOPC said it is assessing the information available to decide if any further action is necessary. 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."
According to the BBC, acting headmaster Paul Williams announced on Tuesday that the school will close until after the half-term break following the 'incredibly distressing' details about how Mrs Pattison died. In a letter to parents, the BBC reported that Mr Williams said: "Now is a time for families to come together and try and process this shocking news.
"The impact on your children cannot be underestimated and we are doing everything we possibly can to support them in whatever way they need."
Mrs Pattison became Epsom’s first female head in September 2022 after six years as headteacher of Croydon High School in south London. Boarding students at the college pay more than £42,000 a year and its alumni include Conservative MP Sir Michael Fallon, broadcaster Jeremy Vine and comedian Tim Vine.
Mrs Pattison’s husband George was a chartered accountant who was director of a management consultancy called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.
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