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

The husband of Epsom College’s headteacher wanted to start a wine importing company as he wanted to be more than an accountant, reported the Telegraph.

George Pattison, 39, is suspected of killing Emma Pattison and their seven-year-old daughter Lettie before killing himself.

A presentation for his business pitch, obtained by the newspaper, reveals that he launched a company named Castle Street Vinters, a “specialist importer of high quality, low yield wines”.

He started the business with his Australian friend and described himself as a “career accountant desperate to do something better with his days”.

He said he worked “in a variety of industries including corporate finance, investment management and financial consultancy”.

“My love affair with wine started on my first trip to Burgundy, where I found a few wines that not only captured the natural characteristics of the grapes but elevated them – this was a life-changing experience for me,” he wrote.

It was reportedly closed in 2016.

Police believe that the husband of Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison shot his wife and daughter dead just days after they spoke to him on the phone about his gun licence.

George Pattison was found dead alongside his wife and seven-year-old daughter Lettie at their home on the grounds of the private school in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Investigators said a gun registered to Mr Pattison was found at the scene, but that the causes of death would not be officially confirmed until post-mortem examinations have been completed.

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An independent conduct watchdog has decided not to investigate Surrey Police over the force’s recent contact with a man about his firearms licence days before he was found dead alongside his wife and daughter at a private school.

Epsom College headteacher 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 the school in Surrey on Sunday.

Surrey Police has said Mr Pattison legally owned a gun that was discovered at the scene of the tragedy and the force has launched a homicide investigation, with the deaths being investigated as a possible murder-suicide.

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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.

Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), of which Croydon High School is part, said: “We are immensely shocked and saddened by the news about the death of Emma Pattison, her daughter Lettie and her husband George.

“Our thoughts are with their family at this time, as well as everyone at Croydon High School, and Epsom College, which Emma joined as head in September 2022.”

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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.

Described as a “wonderful teacher” and a “delightful person” who had a “distinguished career”, Ms Pattison was appointed head of Epsom in September last year.

She had previously been headteacher at Croydon High School in south London, where she worked for six years.

Prior to working in Croydon, Ms Pattison was the deputy head at St John’s School in Leatherhead, an independent school also in Surrey.

According to its website, £45,000 a-year Epsom College is the current Independent School of the Year.

It is a co-educational independent school on Epsom Downs, Surrey for pupils aged 11 to 18 – offering both day and boarding places.

Founded in 1853, it first opened as a boys’ school intended to provide support for poor members of the medical profession, such as pensioners and orphans.

Notable alumni include comedian Tim Vine and BBC broadcasters Nicholas Witchell and Jeremy Vine.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has concluded that no investigation is required by them following the deaths of Emma Pattison, her husband and daughter after a referral from Surrey Police.

It comes as investigators said a gun registered to Mr Pattison was found at the scene, but that the causes of death would not be officially confirmed until post-mortem examinations have been completed.

The watchdog said they have “reviewed the recent and past contact Surrey Police had with Mr Pattison regarding his firearms licence and have decided no investigation is required.”

Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “These events have been shocking and distressing for everyone involved. We continue to support the wider family with specialist officers and request that, having been subject to widespread local and national attention, they are afforded a level of privacy during this difficult time.

“We fully appreciate the concern this incident has caused within the local community and my team are working hard to establish the full circumstances and will provide any updates as appropriate in due course.”

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.

The husband of Epsom College’s headteacher wanted to start a wine importing company as he wanted to be more than an accountant, reported the Telegraph.

George Pattison, 39, is suspected of killing Emma Pattison and their seven-year-old daughter Lettie before killing himself.

A presentation for his business pitch, obtained by the newspaper, reveals that he launched a company named Castle Street Vinters, a “specialist importer of high quality, low yield wines”.

He started the business with his Australian friend and described himself as a “career accountant desperate to do something better with his days”.

He said he worked “in a variety of industries including corporate finance, investment management and financial consultancy”.

“My love affair with wine started on my first trip to Burgundy, where I found a few wines that not only captured the natural characteristics of the grapes but elevated them – this was a life-changing experience for me,” he wrote.

It was reportedly closed in 2016.

The headteacher of Epsom College has been found dead inside the school, alongside her husband and seven-year-old daughter.

Police have described the incident as being “isolated” and said they are not seeking a third party in connection to it.

Emma Pattison, 45, was just six months into her post as the Surrey private school’s first-ever female head.

In this podcast, she shares some of the changes her family had gone through for her new job.

“It’s been a really big change for my family,” she said, sharing that they have moved house and bought a dog in the area.