A top private school headmistress was found dead on Sunday with her husband and young daughter, police said.
Emma Pattison, 45, headmistress of Epsom College in Surrey, England, was found dead in a college property in the early hours on Sunday along with her 39-year-old husband George and 7-year-old daughter Lettie.
Surrey Police said officers attended the scene at around 1:10 a.m. after being contacted by the South East Coast Ambulance Service.
The deaths of the Pattisons have been reported to the coroner.
Police haven’t disclosed any information on the causes of their deaths. They said an investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances, adding that officers are “confident” that it was an “isolated incident with no third-party involvement.”
Specialist officers are supporting the next of kin, Surrey Police said.
According to the PA news agency, the family lived at the property.
South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed attendance but declined to provide further comment.
Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey expressed “sincerest condolences” to friends, family, and students and staff of Epsom College.
“I want to give my assurance that we will conduct a thorough investigation into what took place last night, and hope to be able to bring some peace in these traumatic circumstances,” Edey said in a statement. “I would ask that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”
Inspector Jon Vale, Epsom and Ewell’s borough commander, said: “We’re aware that this tragic incident will have caused concern and upset in the local community. While this is believed to be an isolated incident, in the coming days, our local officers will remain in the area to offer reassurance to students, parents, teachers, and the local community. I would like to thank the school and the community for their understanding and patience while the investigation continues.”
Epsom College described the news as “heartbreaking.” It said it is working with police in their ongoing investigation into the deaths and focusing on the welfare and wellbeing of pupils and staff.
Speaking on behalf of the college, Alastair Wells, chair of the Board of Governors, said everyone is in “utter shock and disbelief.”
“Our immediate thoughts and condolences are with Emma’s family, friends, and loved ones, and to the many pupils and colleagues whose lives she enriched throughout her distinguished career,” Wells said.
“Emma was a wonderful teacher, but most of all she was a delightful person. In time we will commemorate Emma and her family, in the appropriate way, and in line with the wishes of her family. But for now, we ask that we are all given the time, space, and respect we need to come to terms with this tragic loss,” he added.
Local MP Chris Grayling called the deaths “an appalling tragedy,” adding, “I know everyone locally will be shocked about what has happened.”
Pattison became Epsom’s first female head in September 2022 after six years as headteacher of Croydon High School in south London.
Boarding students at the college pay more than £42,000 a year and its alumni include Conservative MP Sir Michael Fallon, broadcaster Jeremy Vine, and comedian Tim Vine.
Over 850 boys and girls attend the school, which was founded in 1853. Its acting head has been listed as Paul Williams.
Epsom College won the top prize at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2022, with judges calling it a “beacon of excellence.”
The school was also named the winner of the Student Wellbeing Award at the October ceremony thanks to its “whole-school approach to mental health and the wellbeing of both its staff and pupils.”
Pattison’s husband George was a chartered accountant who was director of a management consultancy firm called Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.
