The man suspected of shooting a woman outside a Kent pub on Valentine’s Day has died after falling into the Thames, police have confirmed.
Lisa Smith, 43, from Slough, was murdered near The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt shortly after 7pm last Friday.
Edvard Stockings, also known by the name Smith, was named as a suspect by police, who say he fell from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge which crosses the Thames at Dartford 17 miles away.
A car containing a handgun was found abandoned on the bridge and a man was seen on the wrong side of the barrier, but his body has yet to be found.
Lisa’s son, Teejay Smith, paid tribute to his mother describing her as ‘the best’.
Writing on Facebook, he said: ‘My dear old mum never be another to walk in her shoes the best.’
Another relative who visited the scene to see the floral tributes said: ‘She was a beautiful lady and a wonderful mother. We don’t know what’s happened. Nobody does. It’s still a shock.’
Haidresser Ryan Paul Anthony, who owns Paul Anthony Hair Salon in Iver, where Lisa had been a customer since 2017 said: ‘Sending our love and prayers to Lisa Smith’s family at this awful sad time.
‘You turned our salon into your own stage from the moment you walked through the doors in 2017 and made everyone laugh with your amazing personality.
‘You was one in a million.’
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Detective Chief Inspector Dave Higham said: ‘We have carried out a full and extensive investigation into Lisa’s tragic murder and our inquiries have concluded that the suspect is believed to have died after falling into the River Thames.
‘Multiple searches of several areas of the river have since been assisted by the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and Coastguard, but at this stage we have not recovered a body.
‘These searches are ongoing and whilst our investigation will continue, we will be preparing our findings and reports to assist the coroner.
‘This murder has led to the senseless loss of a beloved daughter and mother and our thoughts remain with Lisa’s family.’
The landlady of The Three Horseshoes Michelle Thomas described customers ‘screaming, shouting and crying’ as they realised what had happened.
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About 30 people were at the pub for dinner, while 20 more were in the bar as the incident unfolded just after 7pm, she said.
Police have said that the suspect was known to the victim.
There had been no prior contact between the police and the victim or suspect.
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