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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Chiara Fiorillo

Family of Epsom College 'killer' who 'shot wife and daughter, 7,' break silence

The family of the man at the centre of the Epsom College shooting have broken their silence.

Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison, 45, and her daughter Lettie, 7, were killed at their home on the school's grounds in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A gun was found at the scene, with Surrey police saying they believe Pattison killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life.

Pattison's uncle Frederick Cameron, 83, said the family tragedy was a "huge shock" which "doesn't make sense".

Just hours before their deaths, the family had hosted a dinner with some friends.

Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison, her husband George and their daughter Lettie were found dead in the grounds of the school (PA)

Mr Cameron, who lives in Kingston, Jamaica, told Mail Online: "He didn't strike me as anyone who would do anything of that nature.

"He must have been in a state of madness... It doesn't make any sense to me."

One of the couple's friends who attended the dinner party said that nothing seemed "unusual" during the evening meal.

The friend added the couple seemed to give no sign of being upset during a dinner party they held on Saturday night last week.

The pal said: "On Saturday night they threw a dinner party. It was quite an intimate affair and literally turned out to be their last supper.

"Nothing unusual happened. There were no arguments, no indication he would go on to do something so horrific a short time later."

In an interview published just a week before her death, the college's headteacher said she was looking forward to an "exciting future".

Mrs Pattison told an education magazine of her ambitions for the prestigious school, of which she became its first female head in September last year.

Police outside Epsom College in Surrey (PA)

She said: "We want pupils to find things that are going to matter to them for the rest of their lives, and nothing could matter more to them than the person they are going to become."

Emma also discussed a shifting political and economic landscape in the private school sector, saying: "It could be time to shape a really exciting future for the country."

The interview with School Management Plus was released on Monday last - just six days before Emma was tragically found dead alongside her daughter and husband.

The headteacher said during an interview that she was looking forward to an 'exciting future' (PA)

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.

The force referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) due to its contact with him on February 2.

But on Friday, an IOPC spokesperson said: "We received a mandatory referral from Surrey Police on February 5 related to the deaths of Emma, Lettie and George Pattison.

A flag is flown at half-mast at Epsom College (PA)

"We have reviewed the recent contact Surrey Police had with Mr Pattison regarding his firearms licence and have decided that no investigation is required.

"Following a thorough assessment of the available evidence, we determined on February 8 that the matter should be returned to the force to handle as it deems appropriate.

"We have reminded the force of its obligations, and that if evidence were to come to light that anyone serving with the police may have breached standards of professional behaviour or committed a criminal offence in connection with this, they should refer relevant matters to us."

Police believe the killings may have been a murder-suicide (Surrey Live/BPM Media)

A statement on Epsom College's website reads: "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.

"We ask that the public and the media respect the privacy of Emma's family, and help us to prioritise the needs of our pupils. The news is heartbreaking and we need time and space to come together and process this loss. No further statement will be issued at this time."

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