‘The two of them were inseparable and we take comfort in that they will remain so’: Heartbroken family pay tribute to Epsom College headteacher and her daughter, seven, after they were ‘shot dead’ by her husband in ‘murder-suicide’

• Emma and Lettie will remain inseparable in death as they were in life, family said
• Loved ones claimed family was the ‘centre of their universe’ in a heartfelt tribute 

The heartbroken relatives of the murdered Epsom College headteacher say the educator and her seven-year-old daughter were an ‘inseparable’ duo. 

Emma Pattison’s loved ones released a tribute today honouring the teacher and her daughter Lettie who are believed to have been murdered by husband and father George Pattison before he took his own life on February 5.

The three were found dead at their home in the grounds of Epsom College in Surrey after Emma, 45, made a distressed call to her sister.

The family, in a statement issued through Surrey Police, praised Emma and Lettie for keeping ‘family at the centre of their universe’ and revealed they take comfort in knowing the pair will remain inseparable in death as they were in life.

Emma (right) and Lettie Pattison (left) were killed on February 5. Their loved ones released a statement today claiming the mother-daughter duo kept ‘family at the centre of their universe’

The heartbroken family revealed they take comfort in knowing the Emma and Lettie (pictured together) will remain inseparable in death as they were in life

They were found dead at their home in the grounds of Epsom College in Surrey after Emma, 45, made a distressed call to her sister

‘To see the esteem in which Emma is held by all who knew her is an enormous comfort,’ the family said in a heartfelt tribute today.

‘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. 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.

Devastated family of Epsom College killer reveal their horror after he fatally shot his wife and daughter: CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

The devastated family of Epsom College killer George Pattison have spoken for the first time to voice their horror

‘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.’

Surrey Police has still not revealed details of how the family died, but a firearm that was legally registered to 39-year-old George was found at the scene.

He was in contact with police days before the tragedy about changing the address on his licence after the family moved onto school grounds, but no concerns appear to have been raised about a gun and ammunition being kept at his home.

It has been reported that live ammunition is not kept at the school rifle range.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has decided not to investigate the force’s handling of the matter.

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

It said: ‘We, the family of Emma and Lettie, would like to express our deepest, heartfelt thanks for the overwhelming support we have received over the past 11 days. Thank you to the immeasurable number of people and institutions who have written messages, sent flowers, paid tributes, held vigils or otherwise taken time to remember Emma and Lettie.

‘We would like to thank Surrey Police for their sensitive and thorough handling of the on-going investigation into this horrendous tragedy and to the Epsom College Community, Croydon High and Danes Hill schools for their invaluable support. 

‘Thank you also to the media who have, largely, respected our privacy at this difficult time: we ask that they continue to do so.’

Emma and Lettie are believed to have been murdered by husband and father George Pattison before he took his own life on February 5. The family is picture together

The family described Lettie (pictured) as ‘Emma’s pride and joy: an adorable, vibrant little girl with a compelling curiosity, a heart-melting smile and an intellect beyond her years’

It is understood that Pattison moved into the grace-and-favour home at the school only three weeks before the murder-suicide. Pictured: Epsom College

Emma and Lettie Pattison are pictured in an undated photo. Their loved ones said today: ‘We are an extremely close family and family was at the centre of Emma and Lettie’s universe’

The statement comes three days after George’s family spoke for the first time since the tragedy to voice their horror.

George’s uncle Frederick Cameron, 83, told The Mail on Sunday that the tragedy had come as a ‘huge shock’ to the Jamaica-born killer’s family. 

He said: ‘He didn’t strike me as anyone who would do anything of that nature.

‘He must have been in a state of madness… It doesn’t make any sense to me.’

Mr Cameron, who lives in Kingston, Jamaica, said he had attended the couple’s wedding on the island in 2011. But his memories of the happy occasion were shattered when he received a call from his daughter Suzette – Pattison’s cousin – informing him of the killings. 

He said: ‘From what Suzette said it seems like there were problems [in the marriage]… But that doesn’t mean you shoot people.’

The shocking crime has left friends and family members wondering whether Emma’s new job at the £42,000-a-year school had caused a rift with her husband.

She had previously hinted that the move may have placed a strain on their marriage due to the need to relocate.

In an online chat with a friend last year, she wrote: ‘I have a new job and will have to live on campus as it’s a boarding school! We are trying to sort the house out now… bit of a nightmare.’

The couple had to sell their £1 million family home in Caterham, Surrey, and lived apart as they waited for the sale to complete. 

Police are pictured outside Epsom College in Surrey on February 6 after the bodies of headmistress Emma Pattison, 45, her daughter Lettie, seven, and her husband George, 39, were found

Epsom College flew it’s flag at half-mast after the family was found dead

It is understood that  George moved into the grace-and-favour home at the school only three weeks before the murder-suicide.

A neighbour suggested that George was ‘jealous’ of his wife’s success after he had failed to launch a wine import business.

George described himself online as ‘a career accountant desperate to do something better’. But his wine venture failed to take off. 

The couple reportedly hosted a dinner party hours before Emma made a distressed call to her sister. Relatives rushed to the scene but all three were dead when they arrived.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. 

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