Police recovered a gun owned by the husband of the head teacher of Epsom College from the spot where the family’s bodies were found at the weekend, as they confirmed a murder investigation had been launched.
Surrey Police said it had called George Pattison, 39, the husband of the school’s head, Emma Pattison, 45, about his firearm licence in the week leading up to the killings.
Mr Pattison is feared to have killed his wife and seven-year-old daughter before committing suicide.
The “routine” police inquiry to Mr Pattison came on 2 February after he had notified police about a change of address.
The police have referred themselves to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following the family’s deaths.
The body of the couple’s daughter, Lettie, was found along with those of her parents in the grounds of the college where they lived in a house in the early hours of Sunday morning.
According to the BBC, Mrs Pattison made a “distressed” call to a family member on Saturday evening, but by the time the relative arrived all three were dead.
A spokesperson for the force said: “A firearm was found at the scene and has been recovered by officers; however, causes of death will not be confirmed until post-mortems have been completed later this week. We can confirm the firearm was licensed and registered to George Pattison.
“We had contact with George on Thursday, 2 February after he notified us of a previous change of address, as is routine. Due to the short period of time between that contact and this incident, we have made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”
Causes of death were not confirmed, but post-mortem examinations are due to be completed this week.
The force also said that the school’s rifle range did not form part of the crime scene or their own inquiries.
An investigation is being carried out to establish the full chronology and circumstances of the killings, but police believe there is no third-party involvement or risk to the community.
Mrs Pattison had become the college’s first female head teacher last year after five years at Croydon High School.
In a podcast made in December for students, she said the move had been “a really big change for my family”, adding: “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.”
Surrey Police confirmed the family’s next of kin had been informed and were being supported by specialist officers.
Dr Alastair Wells, chair of the board of governors at Epsom College, where annual fees for full-time boarders are more than £42,000, said everyone at the school was filled with “utter shock and disbelief”.
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Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said: “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. 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 co-operating 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. Until this has been completed, we will be unable to provide further details on a number of matters.”
Inspector Jon Vale, Epsom and Ewell’s borough commander, said: “I know this incident has caused upset and sent shockwaves through the local community. Although we are confident that this incident was contained to one address, and there is no risk to the wider public I fully understand the concern this can and has caused members of our communities.”
There would be a heightened police presence in the local area in the coming days, he added.
