The tragic deaths of Emma Pattison, 45, and her seven-year-old daughter Lettie, at a property in the grounds of Epsom College, Surrey, were heard at an inquest this week. The court heard that Emma had been shot in the abdomen and chest and Lettie had died from a shotgun wound to the head. The coroner, Simon Wickens, offered his condolences to the family and all those who had been touched by the lives of Emma and Lettie.
The inquest for George Pattison, Emma’s husband and Lettie’s father, heard earlier this week that he had died from a shotgun wound to the head. Toxicology and histology reports had been carried out and Mr Pattison had been identified by his dental records.
The family was found dead at their home in the grounds of the private school after Mrs Pattison made a distressed call to her sister. Police have previously said a firearm that was legally registered to Mr Pattison was found at the scene.
In a statement released after the deaths, Emma’s family described her as “everything one could hope for in a daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, teacher and so much more”. They said that 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 pre-inquest hearing for Emma and Lettie will take place in June. The tragedy of their deaths has left family and friends devastated and the BBC South East has offered its condolences to all those affected.
