The deaths of Emma Pattison, 45, her husband George, 39, and their daughter Lettie, seven, were discovered on the grounds of the top school in the early hours of Sunday morning. The private institution has requested “time and space” to process the “shocking and devastating news.”
The head of Epsom College, along with her husband and small daughter, has been discovered dead.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, the remains of headmistress Emma Pattison, 45, her husband George, 39, and their daughter Lettie, seven, were discovered at a residence on the school’s grounds.
Mrs. Pattison was a “great educator” and “delightful individual” with a “distinguished career.”
Epsom College, the Independent School of the Year, with boarding fees of £42,000.
The acting principal is Paul Williams, and about 850 boys and girls attend the 1853-founded institution.
South East Coast Ambulance Service contacted Surrey Police, and officers arrived at the scene at 1:10 a.m.
The authorities are investigating to determine the cause of their deaths.
Officers are certain that it was an isolated event with no involvement from a third party. And the family’s next of kin have been notified and are receiving care from specialized officers.
In a tweet, Epsom College described the news as “shocking and terrible” and announced that the community would gather today “to grieve and pay our respects to a fantastic Head.”
“We will be in close contact with Surrey Police over the coming weeks and months,” the college noted.
“We hope that everyone will respect the privacy of Emma’s family at this time and give the College’s students, faculty, and broader community the time and space to come to grips with this tragedy.”
Mrs. Pattison became the first female head of Epsom in September 2022, following six years as the principal of Croydon High School in south London.
Judges called Epsom College a “beacon of excellence” when it won the Independent Schools of the Year Award last year.
At the October ceremony, the school was also awarded the Student Wellbeing Award for its “whole-school commitment to mental health and the wellbeing of both its staff and students.
“On behalf of everyone at Epsom College, I want to express our profound shock and sadness at this tragic news,” said Dr. Alastair Wells, the college’s board of governors chair”.
Epsom College head, husband, and seven-year-old daughter found dead
Our initial thoughts and condolences are with Emma’s family, friends, and loved ones. Also the numerous students and colleagues whose lives she enriched over the course of her illustrious career.
“Emma was an excellent educator, but she was an even better person. We will eventually appropriately honor Emma and her family, by their wishes.
For now, we respectfully need time, space, and solitude to grieve.
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey stated, “On behalf of Surrey Police, my colleagues, and myself. I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Emma, Lettie, and George. Also the students and faculty of Epsom College, for their awful loss.
“I want to assure you that a comprehensive inquiry will be conducted into the events of last night. And I hope that we can bring some serenity to these tragic circumstances. Please respect their privacy during this extremely trying moment.”
Epsom and Ewell’s borough commander, Inspector Jon Vale, stated. “We are conscious that this tragedy has caused anxiety and distress in the local community.
While it is thought that this is an isolated event, our local police will remain in the area in the following days to reassure students, parents, teachers, and the local community.
While the inquiry continues, I would want to thank the school and the community for their understanding and patience.
The coroner has been notified of the three deaths.
