‘Killer husband’ was ‘jealous’ of school headmistress wife’s success before tragic ‘murder-suicide’

THE husband of the Epsom College headmistress is thought to have been “jealous” of her career success before carrying out a horrific alleged murder-suicide.

Cops believe businessman George Pattison, 39, shot dead his wife Emma and their daughter, Lettie, before turning the gun on himself at the Surrey college.

A coroner is yet to carry out an inquest to officially determine the cause of death.

While the couple, who had been married for 12 years, may have appeared to have lived the ideal family life, it is believed he may have been jealous of his wife’s high-flying career as a teacher.

Emma had been one of most successful female educators in the country, taking up the role of Epsom College’s first female head just six months ago.

It’s thought George felt he was living in his wife’s shadow, professionally at least, as she spent long hours at work and attended countless school events in the evenings and weekends.

Problems in their relationship are thought to have gone back a number of years.

In 2016, Emma was briefly arrested after George dialled 999 at around midnight during a row at home, saying she had slapped him across the face.

Just two minutes later though he called the emergency number again, asking cops not to come because it was a “trivial matter and he had overreacted”.

Despite that, the police did turn up and arrest Emma on suspicion of common assault.

She was questioned in the presence of a solicitor, in the early hours before being released without charge.

During her questioning though she told officers that she and her husband were undergoing counselling to overcome martial problems.

Detectives were told that among the issues they faced was Emma’s high-profile and demanding job.

Later that year, in September, she took on her first headship at Croydon High School, a private day school for girls, taking on yet more responsibilities.

The revelations come after it was revealed George wrote in a letter he was “desperate to do something better with his days” before his importing business failed.

George, a chartered accountant, set up consultancy firm Tanglewood in 2016 - and took out a £14,000 director's loan in 2021.

While pitching a wine importing company, he described himself as “a career accountant desperate to do something better with his days”.

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

George set up the company, called Castle Street Vintners, with an Australian friend after the pair took a trip to the Alsace region of France.

He wrote: "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." 

Sources say George had no criminal history and was not on Surrey Police's radar.

George was also in contact with officers just days before the killings, but cops said this was for a "routine" change of address on his gun licence.

It is assumed this was because he had officially moved into the family home at Epsom College.

Due to the short period of time between the licence update and the possible murder-suicide, 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: "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."