A friend of a man suspected of shooting his partner outside a pub on Valentine’s Day was left “dumbstruck” when the alleged gunman called him to confess what he had done, it has been revealed.

Lisa Smith died after being shot died after being shot outside The Three Horseshoes in Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, on February 14.

Her partner Edvard Stockings is said to telephoned long-standing pal Leslie Thompson in the after-math of the shocking killing.

Mr Thompson told the Daily Mail: “I was dumbstruck, I was absolutely dumbfounded. I just couldn't make sense of any of it.

“I was too frightened to even say 'come to me' if I want to be honest – I've got five grandchildren, and I've just got a brand new one who's only weeks old.

“He told me what he had done and I could not speak. I had my grand-baby in my hands and I did not know what to say. I couldn't make head or tail of it.”

Mr Thompson, who had known Mr Stockings for more than 30 years, believed his friend was having a breakdown.

He said: “He put me in shock – he's left me in shock ever since. I'd heard the news about 20 minutes before and I thought it can't be right – where's he got a gun from? It doesn't make sense.

“And then, next thing, he's ringing me and as quick as I answered the phone, I just said, 'Is it right?' He went, 'Yeah'. He said, I'll be gone in a minute.

“He said: 'Les, I love you, your wife and kids, and I'll see you on the other side, and I'm going to die.' He was so determined.”

Mr Stockings, who was also known as Edvard Smith, is believed to have fallen from the Queen Elizabeth Bridge into the waters of the River Thames following the shooting.

Investigating officer DCI David Higham told KentOnline the force has “good, reliable witness evidence” from motorists driving over the Dartford Crossing and and from CCTV.

He said: “It gives me total confidence the suspect has fallen into the river. We had a very large search parameter under the Dartford Crossing.

“At around midday on Saturday, we did have a sighting of a body. Unfortunately, we were unable to recover it before it became submerged again but I am confident from the description that it is the suspect for our offence.”

Slough resident Ms Smith, 43, was in a relationship with Mr Stockings and they were both members of the travelling community.

DCI Higham confirmed she travelled to Kent to visit family and friends.

He said Ms Smith was in the pub when she came outside and was confronted by the offender and shot with an illegally-held handgun. Four gunshots were fired with two being fatal.

Police are continuing to make inquiries into where the firearm came from and while their investigation continues a report will be prepared to assist the coroner.

DCI Higham added: “This murder has led to the senseless loss of a beloved daughter and mother and our thoughts remain with Lisa’s family.”