Former classmates of a man found dead at his home have been left in shock - as detectives suspect he murdered his wife and child.

Gunshots were heard before the bodies of former Canterbury schoolboy George Pattison, his wife, Emma, and their daughter Lettie were found at 1am on Sunday.

Surrey Police has been probing the circumstances surrounding the deaths since the trio were found at their home in the grounds of £42,000-a-year secondary Epsom College.

But now it has been revealed officers believe Pattison, who attended Barton Court Grammar School between 1994 and 2001, took his own life after killing Emma, 45, and Lettie, seven.

A former pupil who was at the selective at the same time as the suspected killer said: "He was a nice guy.

"It’s very sad what’s happened and everyone who remembers him from Barton Court is shocked and sad.

"Our thoughts are with their loved ones.”

The BBC understands officers made a call to the 39-year-old chartered accountant in the days before the alleged killings to check the details of his home address.

The website also says Emma made a distressed call to a family member on Saturday evening. But by the time the loved one arrived, all three were dead.

Pattison, who had a gun licence, was a director of management consultancy firm Tanglewood 2016, according to Companies House.

His wife became Epsom’s first female head teacher in September 2022, after six years at Croydon High School in south London.

Cheryl Giovannoni, chief executive of the Girls’ Day School Trust, of which Croydon High School is part, said: “We are immensely shocked and saddened by the news.

“Emma was a much-loved and respected member of our community, as well as a talented head and teacher and a dear friend to many of us.

“She touched the lives of all of us with her energy, wisdom and kindness during her six years as head of Croydon High and the school will always bear the legacy of her inspiring leadership."

Epsom College won the top prize at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2022, with judges calling it a “beacon of excellence”.

It was also named the winner of the student wellbeing award at the October ceremony thanks to its “approach to mental health and the wellbeing of its staff and pupils”.

More than 850 boys and girls attend the school, which was founded in 1853.

"It’s very sad what’s happened and everyone who remembers him from Barton Court is shocked and sad..."

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.

Dr Alastair Wells, chairman of the board of governors at Epsom College, said: “On behalf of everyone here, I want to convey our utter shock and disbelief at this tragic news.

“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.

“She 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.

“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.”

Surrey Police has not released details of the cause of death but said investigators are confident no one else was involved.

The force is set to announce more information about the incident later today.

Barton Court has been contacted for comment.