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WorldHusband of a headteacher "shot daughter in the head"

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Husband of a headteacher “shot daughter in the head”

Emma Pattison, the head teacher of Epsom College, passed away from “shock, hemorrhage, and shotgun wounds to the chest and abdomen,” according to an inquest.

The 45-year-old woman who is thought to have been killed by her husband George passed away following the February incident on the school grounds.

Lettie, her seven-year-old daughter, passed away from a “shotgun wound to the head,” according to the findings of an inquest at Surrey Coroner’s Court.

Emma’s husband, George Pattison, 39, died of a ‘shotgun wound to the head’ the inquest was told earlier this week.

Opening the inquest into Mr Pattison’s death on Tuesday, coroner Simon Wickens said: ‘I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to George’s wider family at this difficult time.’

Mr Wickens today expressed his condolences to those who loved or knew Mrs Pattison and Lettie, whose full name was Ellette Francesca.

After the brief hearing into Mrs Pattison’s death, Mr Wickens said: ‘I would like to offer my condolences to Emma’s family and friends and also the wider community she served and also to the students whose lives she no doubt touched.’

Handout photo dated 09/01/22 of Epsom College head Emma Pattison, 45, her husband George, 39, and their daughter Lettie, seven. The family were found in the grounds of the school in the early hours of Sunday morning by the South East Coast Ambulance Service. Issue date: Monday February 6, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Epsom. Photo credit should read: John Wildgoose/Epsom College/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Emma Pattison, 45, her husband George, 39, and their daughter Lettie, seven. (Picture: PA)

The coroner added: ‘I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to Ellette’s family and all who have been touched by her life.’

Toxicology and histology tests were carried out, while Mrs Pattison and Lettie were identified by their teeth, the court heard.

Earlier this week the court heard Mr Pattison’s post-mortem examination was done by Dr Ashley Fegan-Earle at East Surrey Hospital three days after the shooting, coroner’s officer Kelly Truss told Surrey Coroner’s Court.

The cause of death was given as a ‘shotgun wound to the head’, she said.

Following their deaths, Mrs Pattison and Lettie’s loved ones said: ‘To see the esteem in which Emma is held by all who knew her is an enormous comfort.

‘She was everything one could hope for in a daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, teacher and so much more. We are an extremely close family and family was at the centre of Emma and Lettie’s universe.

Handout photo dated 09/01/22 of Epsom College head Emma Pattison, 45, who along with her husband George, 39, and their daughter Lettie, seven, was found in the grounds of the school in the early hours of Sunday morning by the South East Coast Ambulance Service. Issue date: Monday February 6, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Epsom. Photo credit should read: John Wildgoose/Epsom College/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Mrs Pattison was headteacher at Epsom College in Surrey
Undated family handout photo issued by Surrey Police of Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison, 45 and her seven-year-old daughter Lettie who along with husband George were all found dead at their home in the grounds of Epsom College on February 5. It is believed that Mr Pattison killed his wife and daughter before taking his own life. Issue date: Wednesday February 15, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Epsom . Photo credit should read: Family handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Emma and her daughter Lettie

‘The Epsom College community had become part of that universe for them both.

‘Seven-year-old Lettie was Emma’s pride and joy: an adorable, vibrant little girl with a compelling curiosity, a heart-melting smile and an intellect beyond her years.

‘The two of them were inseparable and we take comfort in that they will remain so.

‘Emma had a warm, welcoming smile and sparkling, blue eyes, full of optimism. Over the last 11 days we’ve noticed the sky has been bright blue, with at times a warm glow of pink.’

EPSOM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: A police car is parked at an entrance to Epsom College after the school's head, Emma Pattison, was found dead alongside her family yesterday, on February 6, 2023 in Epsom, England. Pattison, her husband George, and 7-year-old daughter Emma were found dead in a property on school grounds early on Sunday morning. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
The scene at Epsom College on February 6

The family’s statement also thanked well-wishers for their messages of support.

A firearm legally registered to Mr Pattison, 39, was found at the scene, Surrey Police said.

Live ammunition is not kept at the school rifle range, it has been reported.

Mr Wickens fixed a date for a pre-inquest review hearing on June 27.

School staff reportedly phoned emergency services after hearing gunshots tearing through the early morning silence on February 5.

Following the family’s deaths, a neighbour described Emma and Lottie both as a warm presence.

‘You used to hear her playing in the garden, she was always asking them questions and just seemed like a happy, inquisitive little girl,’ they told the Telegraph.

Another local woman said Lettie was particularly fond of her dog: ‘She was just a typical, well brought-up, lovely little girl. It’s just tragic.’

Officers confirmed the family’s pet Labrador, Bella, survived the ordeal and is being looked after by relatives. 

A pre-inquest review hearing into the deaths has been set for June 27.

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