A PRESTIGIOUS private school headteacher made a distressed phone call to her sister minutes before she was shot dead by her husband, it is understood.
Emma Pattison’s seven-year-old daughter Lettie was also killed in the tragedy before dad George allegedly turned the gun on himself.
6Emma Pattison allegedly phoned her sister Deborah Kirk in distress minutes before she was killed by her husband
6Emma, George and Lettie Pattison were found dead in the early hours of February 5Credit: PA
6Police outside Epsom College in Surrey where their bodies were discoveredCredit: PAThe mum’s cry for help to Deborah Kirk prompted relatives to drive to the Pattison home on the grounds of Epsom College, Surrey, in the early hours of Sunday, MailOnline reports.
By the time they got there, all three were dead.
Surrey Police believe George, 39, who held a shotgun licence, killed his wife, 45, and young daughter before taking his own life in a double murder-suicide.
A firearm registered to the chartered accountant was found at the scene but officers have not yet disclosed the cause of the deaths.
The force confirmed that George was in contact with them just days before the killings to update the address on his gun licence as is “routine”.
Despite Emma being appointed headmistress in September, the family reportedly only handed over the keys to their old house a few weeks ago.
George may have stayed behind in the four-bedroom property in Caterham while Emma and Lettie settled into their new home, believed to be surrounded by properties occupied by other school staff members.
One former neighbour told MailOnline: “I wasn’t sure if anybody had actually moved out because I’d seen George quite recently, in the run up to Christmas.
“He was by himself, Emma and Lettie were not with him. His BMW 8 Series was parked on the drive.”
Due to how close in time the changes to George’s gun licence were made and the triple killing, the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, Senior Investigating Officer on the case, said today: “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.”
Sources say George had no criminal history and was not on Surrey Police’s radar.
The only time they crossed paths previously was when he accused his wife of striking him in 2016.
He is said to have reported her for the domestic incident but later withdrew the claims as he decided it was a trivial matter, The Times reports.
‘WONDERFUL’ TEACHER
Following the possible murder-suicide and the “incredibly distressing” details that have emerged, Epsom College announced it was closing until after the half-term break.
In a letter to parents, seen by the BBC, acting head Paul Williams said: “Now is a time for families to come together and try and process this shocking news.
“The impact on your children cannot be underestimated and we are doing everything we possibly can to support them in whatever way they need.”
Emma became the elite school’s first female head in September 2022 after six years at the helm of Croydon High School in south London.
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.
Her husband George was a chartered accountant who was director of a management consultancy called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.
Parents and former colleagues described Emma as a “wonderful teacher” who “enriched” her students’ lives.
Late last year she said the transition from her old job had been full of “really big changes” for her family but she was “absolutely loving” her time at Epsom College so far.
Emma told a student-run podcast: “It has been very, very busy, but absolutely wonderful.”
6Emma started as head of Epsom College in SeptemberCredit: John Wildgoose 2017
6The Pattison family lived on the grounds of the elite schoolCredit: London News Pictures
6Police are investigating the incident as a double murder and suicideCredit: GettyIf you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
Story Credit: thesun.co.uk