'Gunshots at 1am'

Police search school rifle range after bodies of headteacher and her family found near home

The headteacher of a prestigious independent school spoke about how there was “so much to look ahead to and be excited” about just weeks before her death. Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead alongside her seven-year-old daughter Lettie and husband, George, at their home in the early hours of Sunday morning on the grounds of Epsom College in Surrey. The area surrounding the Pattisons’ home was cordoned off yesterday. Among the sealed buildings was Epsom College’s rifle range. Police and security guards in hi-visibility clothing flanked the school entrances as investigations continued. Surrey Police called the deaths an “isolated incident” but provided no further information. Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey said yesterday: “I want to give my assurance that we will conduct a thorough investigation into what took place last night, and hope to be able to bring some peace in these traumatic circumstances.” Dr Alastair Wells, chair of the board of governors at the college, said pupils and staff were in “utter shock and disbelief”. “Emma was a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person,” he added.