Knockholt Valentine’s Day murder suspect named as body found

A body linked to the Valentine’s Day shooting of Lisa Smith has been identified as that of her husband, police say.

Edward Smith, also known as Edward Stockings, is suspected of shooting his wife, Lisa Smith, in the car park of the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, on 14 February.

A body found in the River Thames near Rainham, Essex, on Friday has now been formally identified by police as Mr Smith after he was believed to have entered the river near the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in Dartford.

An investigation into both deaths will be led by the coroner, Kent Police said.

He is alleged to have shot Mrs Smith, 43, from Slough, at about 19:00 GMT before fleeing the scene.

Three gunshots were heard on CCTV footage, followed by shouting and screaming, from close to the pub where Mrs Smith had met a friend,

Mr Smith, also 43, called his friend Leslie Thompson at 20:50 and told him: “She’s dead, I love you. I’ll see you on the other side.”

Mr Thompson said the call had convinced him Mr Smith shot his wife after having a breakdown.

He added that Mr Smith was “unbelievably close” to his father and had been deeply affected by his death two years ago.

A car linked to Mr Smith was found on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge after the shooting, Kent Police said.

The incident also prompted a search operation in the Thames involving the Coastguard, RNLI, London Fire Brigade drones and a Metropolitan Police boat team.

Mr Smith’s body was found at about 15:45 GMT on Friday and his family have been informed, the force said.

An inquest into the death of Mrs Smith is scheduled for 17 September. A date has yet to be confirmed for Mr Smith’s inquest.