Police believe Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison and her seven-year-old daughter Lettie were murdered by Mrs Pattison’s husband and the girl’s father, who then shot himself.
Mrs Pattison and Lettie were found dead at the family’s home in the grounds of the private school shortly after 1am on Sunday alongside the body of her husband George.
According to the BBC, Mrs Pattison made a “distressed call” to a member of her family member late on Saturday night, but by the time the relative arrived at their home the couple and their young daughter were dead.
In a statement on Tuesday, Surrey Police said a firearm licensed to Mr Pattison, 39, was recovered from the scene but cause of death would not be confirmed until post-mortems have been completed later this week.
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.”
Surrey Police has not commented on reports shots were heard before the bodies were discovered but earlier said it is confident there was no “third party involvement” in the deaths.
Mrs Pattison, 45, took over as Epsom College’s first female headteacher in September 2022, after moving from her previous role as headteacher at Croydon High School.
Her husband George was a chartered accountant who was director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.
Former colleagues have paid tribute to Mrs Pattison as a “much loved and respected” teacher, while nursery worker Chloe Rathbone described her daughter Lettie as “perfect in every way”.
According to the Telegraph newspaper, gunshots were heard before the family’s bodies were discovered.
Citing an unnamed source, the paper reported that a member of staff called the emergency services early Sunday after hearing the shots.
On Monday, a rifle range at the school appeared to be closed off. A source told the paper the range has no live ammunition in it.
The force said on Tuesday the firing range at the school did not form part of the crime scene and was not a line of inquiry in the investigation.
The family lived within Epsom College’s grounds, in a home said to be close to other houses occupied by teachers and staff.
In a student-led podcast, called Epsom Insight, recorded in the months before her death, Mrs Pattison told pupils her family had recently faced a whirlwind of change.
“In terms of transition it’s been a really big change for my family. We’ve moved house - we’ve bought a dog,” she told the podcast hosts, according to Daily Mail.
“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.”
Dr Alastair Wells, Chair of the Board of Governors at Epsom College, said: “On behalf of everyone at Epsom College, I want to convey our utter shock and disbelief at this tragic news.
“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.
“Emma was a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person. In time we will commemorate Emma and her family, in the appropriate way, and in line with the wishes of her family. But for now, we ask that we are all given the time, space and respect we need to come to terms with this tragic loss.”
Another member of staff member said: “We are in deep shock. We just can’t comprehend what happened.” Another said: “We are beyond words, it’s too upsetting. She was very popular and now we have to help the children come to terms with this.”
The college’s flag was flying at half mast on Monday, after the tragedy.
Epsom College won the top prize at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2022, with judges calling it a “beacon of excellence”.
Boarding students at the prestigious school, attended by more than 850 boys and girls, pay more than £42,000 a year and its alumni include Conservative MP Sir Michael Fallon, broadcaster Jeremy Vine and comedian Tim Vine.
The school was also named the winner of the student wellbeing award at the October ceremony thanks to its “whole-school approach to mental health and the wellbeing of both its staff and pupils”.
Croydon High School, where Mrs Pattison was head for six years until leaving for Epsom College five months ago, has also paid tribute to her.
Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), of which the school is part, said: “Emma was a much loved and respected member of the GDST community, as well as a talented head and teacher and a dear friend to many of us.
“She touched the lives of all of us with her energy, wisdom and kindness during her six years as head of Croydon High School and the school will always bear the legacy of her inspiring leadership.”
