urrey Police are treating the deaths of Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison, her seven-year-old daughter Lettie and her husband as murder-suicide.
The bodies of Mrs Pattison, her husband George and their daughter were found at the family home in the school grounds shortly after 1am on Sunday.
The force has not commented on reports that shots were heard before the bodies were discovered but has said it is confident there was no “third party involvement” in the deaths.
Mrs Pattison, 45, took over as the private school’s first female teacher in September 2022, after moving from her previous role as headteacher at Croydon High School.
Former colleagues have paid tribute to her as a “much loved and respected” teacher, while nursery worker Chloe Rathbone described her daughter Lettie as “perfect in every way”.
Mrs Pattison’s husband George was a chartered accountant who was director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.
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.
Police outside Epsom College on Monday
/ John DunneThe family’s home is said to be close to other houses occupied by teachers and staff.
The college flag was flying at half mast after the tragedy. One 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.”
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 college 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”.
More than 850 boys and girls attend the school, which was founded in 1853.
Croydon High School, which Mrs Pattison led until 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.”
More to follow
