Epsom College head teacher Emma Pattison made a distressed phone call to her sister minutes before she was shot dead, it has been reported.
The Daily Mail reports how Emma's sister Deborah Kirk and her husband jumped into the car and drove to Emma's home in Surrey after they got the phone call. Tragically, they were too late and found Emma's body alongside her daughter Lettie and husband George.
Police have said they are looking at the possibility George Pattison, 39, shot Emma and Lettie, 7, before taking his own life. Surrey Police confirmed they had recovered a firearm, licensed to George, an accountant.
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Surrey Police had been in touch with Emma's husband days before the family's deaths. The force has referred itself to an independent watchdog over the contact, as they had called him the Thursday before to check on the storage for his gun.
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His house was not visited. Mr Pattison had been a licensed holder of a shotgun for many years - under Home Office regulations anyone with a gun most notify police when they change addresses.
The Mail reported the family had only handed over the keys to their old home a few weeks ago, though Emma, who studied in Leeds, had been living in the Epsom College home since last September. Neighbours near their old property in Caterham told the Mail Mr Pattison had still spent time at the old house until last month.
One old neighbour said she hadn't seen Emma or Lettie since before she got the job at Epsom College. The neighbour added that the new owners had arrived a few weeks ago and all the Pattisons' furniture had gone.
The neighbour told the Mail: "It's horrific what's happened at the college. I never heard any arguing or anything like that when they lived here. They appeared to have it all, a nice house, good jobs and lots of money."
"Emma was really nice and charming. She would talk over the fence. George was much quieter, much more introverted," the old neighbour continued.
"He seemed older than 39, he looked and acted like someone approaching 50 not 40. His dress sense was almost like a country gent.
"Over the last year or so I never really saw him go to work. I think he may have worked at home a bit but I got the impression he had a lot of time on his hands. I'd see him through the window drinking glasses of red wine in his new kitchen extension."
Emma's former co-worker at Caterham School Zoe Roberts paid tribute to Emma as 'beautiful inside and out'. The Mail further reported that Mr Pattison had no criminal past, but that police had once been called out to their family home in 2016.
Mr Pattison had reportedly accused his wife of slapping him during an argument, though regretted the call and downplayed it when officers arrived. The Mail reports that Ms Pattison was interviewed, but the matter was dropped when Mr Pattison didn't cooperate.
The investigation is being treated as a homicide one as of Tuesday. Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, Senior Investigating Officer on the case at Surrey Police 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.”
Inspector Jon Vale, Epsom and Ewell’s Borough Commander, said: “I know this incident has caused upset and sent shockwaves through the local community. Although we are confident that this incident was contained to one address, and there is no risk to the wider public I fully understand the concern this can and has caused members of our communities. Therefore, the public can expect to see a heightened police presence in the local area in the coming days. If you are concerned about anything at all I’d urge you to approach an officer and discuss your concerns with them. They will be ready and happy to help you however they can.
“I would like to send my continued thanks to the school and our public for their understanding while the investigation progresses.”
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