The man suspected of shooting dead a “wondeful mother” outside a Kent pub on Valentine’s Day has died after falling into the Thames, police have confirmed.
Lisa Smith, 43, from Slough, was killed in Knockholt near The Three Horseshoes pub just after 7pm on Friday, Kent Police said.
The force believes the man, named as Edvard Stockings or Smith, fell from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge which crosses the Thames at Dartford 17 miles away.
A car containing a handgun was found abandoned on the bridge and a man was seen on the wrong side of the barrier, but his body has yet to be found.
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Higham said: “We have carried out a full and extensive investigation into Lisa’s tragic murder and our inquiries have concluded that the suspect is believed to have died after falling into the River Thames.
“Multiple searches of several areas of the river have since been assisted by the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and Coastguard, but at this stage we have not recovered a body.
“These searches are ongoing and whilst our investigation will continue, we will be preparing our findings and reports to assist the coroner.
“This murder has led to the senseless loss of a beloved daughter and mother and our thoughts remain with Lisa’s family.”
Motor dealer Stockings rang Leslie Thompson after Ms Smith was gunned down outside a pub.
Mr Thompson said his friend suffered a mental breakdown and confessed: “She’s dead, I love you. I’ll see you on the other side.”
He added Stockings told him: “I can’t live, we’ve all gone together” and that “armed police will probably shoot me”.
Photos of Ms Smith were posted online by her son Teejay Smith who said: “The best woman to walk in two shoes.”
Teejay, 19, uploaded an image of himself with his arm around her suspected killer.
The caption said: “My father Edvard Stockings, number one. Went out a legend, never be another.”
The landlady of The Three Horseshoes Michelle Thomas described customers “screaming, shouting and crying” as they realised what had happened.
About 30 people were at the pub for dinner, while 20 more were in the bar as the incident unfolded just after 7pm, she said.
Police have said that the suspect was known to the victim.
There had been no prior contact between the police and the victim or suspect.
Balloons with the words “a wonderful mum” had been left with flowers.
Two women stood by tributes described Ms Smith as a “great woman”.
One said: “She was a wonderful mum, a beautiful woman - they’d just had a granddaughter, they had everything going for them. I just can’t understand what happened, they were so happy.
“We know them from Lingfield, we’re family, my son grew up with theirs.”
