Epsom College head’s ‘killer’ husband died of shotgun wound to head after ‘shooting wife & daughter’, 7, inquest hears
THE husband of "murdered" Epsom College head teacher Emma Pattison died of a "shotgun wound to the head", an inquest has heard.
George Pattison, 39, was found dead alongside his wife and daughter Lettie at the Surrey boarding school on February 5.
Cops charged to the grounds of the prestigious college after gunshots were heard at around 1am.
At the opening of the inquest into Pattison's death today, Surrey Coroner’s Court heard he died from a shotgun wound to the head.
Cops believe the dad shot dead Emma, 45, and Lettie, seven, late that Saturday night before taking his own life in a double murder-suicide.
The three lived on the grounds of Epsom College, with pet Labrador, Bella.
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Emma was an esteemed headteacher, who took the helm at the college in September 2022, becoming the first female to be appointed into the role.
She had previously been head of Croydon High School, a role which she held from 2016 to 2022.
It had been revealed Pattison wrote he was “desperate to do something better with his days” before his importing business failed.
The chartered accountant set up consultancy firm Tanglewood in 2016 and took out a £14,000 director's loan in 2021, reports
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While pitching a wine company, Pattison claimed he had worked “in a variety of industries including corporate finance, investment management and financial consultancy.”
Pattison 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 he had no criminal history and was not on Surrey Police's radar.
The only time he crossed paths with the force previously was when he accused his wife of striking him in 2016.
He is said to have reported her for hitting him during a domestic incident.
But he later withdrew the claims, saying the matter was trivial, reports.
Pattison 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 at the time: "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.
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"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."