The headteacher of Epsom College and her seven-year-old daughter who who were found dead at their home were reportedly killed in a double-murder suicide by her husband.
The bodies of Emma Pattison, 45, her daughter Lettie, and her husband George, 39, were all found at their home within the private school's grounds in Surrey. Police said the deaths were an isolated incident and there was no third-party involvement.
A reporter for the BBC has reported that the father killed both his wife and daughter, before taking his own life. A source had told The Telegraph newspaper that a member of staff living nearby raised the alarm after hearing gunshots, reports the Mirror.
Read more: Huddersfield stabbing update as two kids and a baby found stabbed in house in 'attempted murder'
Mrs Pattison, who studied in Leeds, had started her role as head in September and before Christmas had told a student podcast that the last few months had brought great change for her family with new jobs, a new school for Lettie and a new dog.
She was the school's first female headteacher and had told the podcast: "In terms of transition it’s been a really big change for my family. We’ve moved house - we’ve bought a dog.
"I’ve got a new job, my husband has got a new job, that wasn’t meant to happen but it did and my daughter has started a new school so there’s been a lot of change for us as a family.”
In the podcast episode, which had since been deleted, she also told of how she got into teaching after flicking through a copy of the Times Educational Supplement at a coffee shop. She said at the time she was on the graduate programme for Thomas Cook, a job she said she "absolutely hated".
The head said she "hadn't looked back" since entering into teaching and told the student-presented podcast "working with you people keeps you young, they keep you energised".
"I am absolutely loving my time here so far," Mrs Pattison added. "It's been very busy but absolutely wonderful. The college have been so supportive and everyone has been very, very welcoming."
The school, which was named independent school of the year in 2022, released a statement yesterday evening expressing their condolences and asking for privacy. In a statement, the school said: "It is with the deepest sadness and regret that we have to announce the news of the deaths of Emma Pattison, Head of Epsom College, her daughter Lettie, and her husband George.
"Our thoughts, condolences and sympathies are with their families at this tragic time. The College is working with the police in what remains an ongoing investigation.
"We must now focus on the welfare and wellbeing of our pupils and staff, and work to ensure that they receive all the comfort, warmth and support required from the Epsom College community."
Read next:
- Death notices and funeral announcements from Huddersfield Examiner this week
- Huddersfield shop gets just six visitors a month as owner says Covid and Brexit killed it
- Yorkshire Stonehenge of the North opened to the public
- Huddersfield busker says it hurts when people ignore him
- Get the latest Yorkshire Live news with our email newsletters
