Wife was ‘fleeing relationship’ before being shot by her husband, inquest hears

Two inquests into the deaths of a woman from Slough fleeing her relationship – and the husband who shot her, then took his own life – have wrapped up today.

Lisa Smith died in the car park of The Three Horseshoes in Main Road, Knockholt, near Sevenoaks, on Friday, February 14.

The inquest into the grandmother’s death was opened on March 5, where her cause was given as a gunshot wound to the neck.

A full hearing was held today (September 17) by area coroner Roger Hatch at Oakwood House, Maidstone. Area coroner Katrina Hepburn concluded Mrs Smith died by unlawful killing.

The court heard evidence from DS James Dolby of the major crime department for North Kent.

He told the inquest that Mrs Smith had called her sister, Samantha Graham, telling her she was leaving her relationship with Edward Smith and was travelling to Kent to live with her.

Mrs Smith got on a train and arrived at Orpington station at around 2.40pm on February 14, where she was met by her sister and a group of her friends.

They then drove to The Three Horseshoes pub, which they later left, but then returned to at around 6pm and parked in the car park before entering.

DS Dolby told the court the group ‘kept out of sight’ in case Mr Smith was in the area searching for the 43-year-old – as he had been repeatedly calling one of her friends, asking where they were.

The detective said Mr Smith turned up at the pub just before 7pm and was shouting for Mrs Smith.

One of her friends alerted the group and went to stop him from entering the pub.

The inquest heard that the friend said: “You are a narcissist. I have seen what you have been doing.”

DS Dolby said the altercation was captured on CCTV, and Mr Smith – who lived in Walton Lane, near Farnham Royal – was seen getting in his car and driving away.

While it was happening, Mrs Smith and two of her friends left the pub via the back door, went to one of their cars and started reversing towards the car park’s exit.

However, the inquest heard that Mr Smith then reversed back up the road and blocked the vehicle from leaving. A ‘loud bang’ was heard at 7pm.

It was said this was the first of four gunshots in less than a minute, all aimed at Mrs Smith, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the car.

DS Dolby concluded that Mrs Smith was ‘fleeing her relationship’ with Mr Smith, following a breakdown of the marriage.

He added: “Mr Smith drove to look for Mrs Smith and made numerous phone calls to find her.

“He found her, and when she refused to leave with him, he used a handgun to shoot her several times.”

A post-mortem concluded that the third gunshot to her neck was the fatal injury.

DS Dolby said that an off-duty fireman was drinking in the pub at the time and, after hearing the incident, left the premises, went to Mrs Smith, removed her from the car and began CPR.

Officers and paramedics then arrived at the scene – but despite their efforts, Mrs Smith, who was born in Sheerness, was declared dead at 7.42pm.

DS Dolby explained that after shooting Mrs Smith, Mr Smith drove away from the pub towards Coxheath, where he entered a takeaway and demanded they give him a knife.

The inquest then heard he sent two voice notes to a colleague, admitting to shooting Mrs Smith and threatening to shoot another person.

DS Dolby read parts of the transcript: “We have a little bit of a tragedy today. I have just shot my wife, Lisa. If you could pray for my family, as things are not looking good.”

Another message said: “All my family is trying to call me. I have shot Lisa; she is dead. Probably the police are going to shoot me, so I am going to go.

“I will see you on the other side. Pray for me, and hopefully I will get into heaven with my wife.”

The court heard that Mr Smith then drove to the Dartford Crossing. Officers attended just before midnight and a vehicle linked to the incident was recovered, alongside a firearm and ammunition.

The force believed Mr Smith had fallen into the River Thames, and his body was recovered from the water on March 7 after it was spotted by a member of the public in Coldharbour Lane, Rainham.

An inquest opening was held into Mr Smith's death shortly after, in which the court heard he had received a massive head trauma, listed as the cause of death.

Mr Smith's death

A full hearing into Mr Smith's death was also held today at Oakwood House by deputy coroner Alan Blunsdon, who said Mr Smith died by suicide.

He read into evidence a statement from Mr Smith’s GP at Burnham Health Centre, who said he had attended an appointment for mental health problems.

The court heard that the 43-year-old told his doctor he had been sectioned around 10 years ago and had previously said to have psychosis, but his mental health had been OK since.

Mr Blunsdon read that ‘he had been arguing with his wife’. Mrs Smith had previously left him at Christmas as she was ‘unable to cope any more,’ but then returned to the relationship.

Mr Smith was given medication and directed to seek further help for his mental health.

Later in January, Mr Smith told his GP he was ‘feeling better’. He did not have any contact with the surgery afterwards.

Mr Blunsdon also read witness statements from drivers who had seen Mr Smith’s car pulled over in the right lane of the QEII bridge following the shooting of Mrs Smith.

The court heard how a man wearing a light-coloured tracksuit was spotted standing on the wrong side of the safety barrier and was seen ‘falling’ into the water below.

DS Dolby also gave evidence during Mr Smith’s inquest, confirming a manhunt was underway for Mr Smith following the shooting, which included CCTV, ANPR and phone tracing.

He said no cars were seen pulling up next to Mr Smith’s vehicle on the bridge, so he could not have been picked up, nor were the bridge’s pedestrian sensors alerted.

Therefore, officers assumed he had entered the River Thames.

When asked if he believed Mr Smith had intended to take his own life, DS Dolby said: “Taking the whole situation and events prior to him entering the water, it would support that he took his own life.”

Mr Blunsdon agreed that Mr Smith had said some ‘powerful things’ in his voice notes and calls to his friends, and believed the only conclusion was one of suicide.

Tributes to Mrs Smith

Tributes have been paid to Mrs Smith following her death, including from her son Teejay, who said: “My dear old mum, never be another to walk in her shoes, the best.”

Another tribute added: “Our love and prayers are with your family, especially your boys and your beautiful granddaughter.”