Epsom College – latest: Murdered headteacher’s husband ran failed firm before deaths

A private school where the headteacher was found dead alongside her husband and their daughter will reportedly close until after the half-term break as police conduct a homicide investigation.

Emma Pattison, 45, was found dead with her husband George Pattison, 39, and their seven-year-old daughter Lettie at their home in the grounds of Epsom College in Surrey on Sunday.

Acting headmaster Paul Williams announced on Tuesday that the school will close until after the half-term break following the “incredibly distressing” details about how Mrs Pattison died, according to the BBC.

Former colleagues of a headteacher found dead at her home with her husband and daughter have paid tribute to their “dear friend”.

Emma Pattison, who was head at Croydon High School before she joined Epsom College in September last year, died on Sunday with her daughter Lettie, seven, and her husband George.

Pupils and staff at a prestigious private school in Surrey have been rocked by the news that their headteacher had been found dead with her husband and young daughter.

Emma Pattison, 45, and her husband George, 39, were found alongside seven-year-old Lettie at the £42,000 per year Epsom College, Epsom, early on Sunday morning.

Headteacher Emma Pattison and her husband George Pattison reportedly hosted a dinner party hours before their deaths.

A friend told The Sun: “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.”

Police suspect Mr Pattison killed his headteacher wife Emma and their seven-year-old daughter Lettie before taking his own life.

George Pattison reported his wife to Surrey Police for allegedly striking him in 2016, sources have told The Times.

Emma Pattison was spoken to by officers before her husband quickly withdrew the complaint, saying it was trivial.

He is believed to have been a licensed gun owner for several years and his firearms certificate was renewed last year, The Times reported, citing sources as emphasising that there were no red flags on his record.

Police are “working around the clock” on the homicide case at one of the country’s most prestigious schools.

Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said: “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.”

Staff and pupils at an elite private school are grieving after their headteacher was found dead with her husband and seven-year-old daughter.

Epsom College head Emma Pattison, 45, husband George, 39, and daughter Lettie were found on school grounds in the early hours of Sunday morning.

George Pattison reported his wife to Surrey Police for allegedly striking him in 2016, sources have told The Times.

Emma Pattison was spoken to by officers before her husband quickly withdrew the complaint, saying it was trivial.

He is believed to have been a licensed gun owner for several years and his firearms certificate was renewed last year, The Times reported, citing sources as emphasising that there were no red flags on his record.