Investigations into the suspected murder-suicide of a former Kent schoolboy, his wife and their child have revealed their cause of death.

George Pattison, who attended Barton Court Grammar in Canterbury, is believed to have killed his partner Emma and their seven-year-old daughter, Lettie, before taking his own life.

The inquest into the 39-year-old's death was opened earlier this week and was told he died of a shotgun wound to the head.

Meanwhile, it was revealed at Surrey Coroner’s Court this morning that shotgun wounds to the chest and abdomen claimed his wife's life, and that Lettie was shot in the head.

The trio's bodies were discovered within the grounds of £42,000-a-year private school Epsom College on February 5, after Emma made a distressed call to her sister.

KentOnline previously revealed Pattison was enrolled at Barton Court between 1994 and 2001, and that his death left ex-classmates shocked.

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.”

Pattison's parents lived in Eythorne, near Dover, in the late 1990s where they ran the Post Office, it has also been reported.

One resident, who has lived in the village for almost 40 years, told the Daily Mail that George and his younger sister were "very pleasant" children.

The Pattisons later moved to Sandwich, where they are said to have set up their own travel agency.

They also lived in Deal and a former neighbour there told the newspaper George was "rather shy" and "extremely polite".

During today's hearing, coroner Simon Wickens expressed his condolences to those who loved or knew Emma and Lettie, whose full name was Ellette Francesca.

"I would like to offer my condolences to Emma’s family and friends and also the wider community she served,” he said

“I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to Ellette’s family and all who have been touched by her life.”

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

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

One former colleague described her as "adored" and a "real inspiration".

The Pattisons had been married for 12 years and appeared to have a happy life together.

But it has since emerged that George reported Emma, 45, to police in 2016 for allegedly hitting him. Emma was questioned by officers but no further action was taken.

Officials from Surrey Police say a firearm legally registered to Mr Pattison was found at the scene.

"She was everything one could hope for in a daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, teacher and so much more..."

It has also been reported that live ammunition is not kept at Epsom College's rifle range.

A statement released by Mrs Pattison and Lettie’s family after their deaths said: “To see the esteem in which Emma is held by all who knew her is an enormous comfort.

“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.

“The two of them were inseparable and we take comfort in that they will remain so.”

Pre-inquest reviews into all three of the deaths have been set for June 27 at the same court.