"She was a warm, energetic, compassionate leader, dedicated teacher and generous, insightful colleague and friend," according to school officials.
Emma Pattison had been the head of the prestigious Epsom College for just six months when she was found dead on campus along with her husband, George, 39, and daughter, Lettie, 7. The 45-year-old and her family's death has shocked the community.
Epsom College head Emma Pattison found dead with husband and daughter, 7 https://t.co/hbDF3kkZzc
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 6, 2023
On Sunday, February 5, police were called to the college in Surrey, just south of London, at 1:10 a.m. Police launched an investigation to "establish the circumstances of their deaths," they said in a statement, according to PEOPLE. Authorities are "confident that this is an isolated incident with no third-party involvement," the statement added.
According to a recent report by BBC, the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide. It is expected that post-mortem examinations will be conducted later this week.
It is believed George Pattison killed his wife and daughter before killing himself
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) February 7, 2023
Surrey Police are expected to release more information later today
More: https://t.co/Qa9Rok26fa pic.twitter.com/b8x24Kr01S
Pattison became the school's first female head when she took on the job at the school six months ago. According to the BBC, her husband George was a chartered accountant who was the director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016.
Pattison told a podcast run by students in December that her move from being head teacher of Croydon High School in south London to Head of Epsom College had been "a really big change for my family." She added, "I've got a new job, my husband got a new job, which wasn't meant to happen, but did, and my daughter has started a new school."
Emma Pattison gave me my first teaching job. At @CroydonHigh she created a work environment that felt so safe and encouraging. She was an exceptional leader. She supported me as a became the teacher I am proud to be today. I am endlessly grateful. pic.twitter.com/gOktLvHmKv
— Jacob Thorpe (@thisismrthorpe) February 6, 2023
Croydon High School described her as "hugely respected and much loved". The school said, "She was a warm, energetic, compassionate leader, dedicated teacher and generous, insightful colleague and friend."
The shocking and tragic news has now reached many about the death of our Head, Emma Pattison. The College community will be coming together today to process the news, grieve and pay our respects to a wonderful Head. 1/3
— Epsom College (@EpsomCollegeUK) February 6, 2023
Epsom College's website conveyed their thoughts and condolences to the family's near and dear ones. The institution, which was granted Royal Approval in 1855, is working with the police in what remains an ongoing investigation, they noted adding that they are going to "focus on the welfare and wellbeing of our pupils and staff, and work to ensure that they receive all the comfort, warmth and support required from the Epsom College community." It further added, "We ask that the public and the media respect the privacy of Emma’s family, and help us to prioritize the needs of our pupils."
Epsom College headteacher Emma Pattison told close family member she had concerns about husband the night before she was found dead alongside him and their daughterhttps://t.co/Cr3AVEtx9R
— LBC (@LBC) February 7, 2023
Dr. Alastair Wells, Chair of the college's Board of Governors College also referred to Pattison in a statement as "a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person." He added, "In time we will commemorate Emma and her family, in the appropriate way, and in line with the wishes of her family."
'They've called her "hugely respected and much loved. She was a warm, energetic, compassionate leader, a dedicated teacher".'
— GB News (@GBNEWS) February 6, 2023
GB News' Paul Hawkins reports after the Head of Epsom College, Emma Pattison, was found dead alongside her husband and child on Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/YHE43Zu3Zb
References:
https://www.epsomcollege.org.uk/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64533429
https://people.com/crime/head-prestigious-school-found-dead-next-to-husband-daughter/
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-surrey-
Cover Image Source: Twitter | @EpsomC_Head