Lisa Smith Kent Mum of Two Died in Knockholt Shooting, Husband Edvard Stockings Found Dead From Suicide After Jumping Off Queen Elizabeth II Bridge into River Thames
A tragic incident unfolded in the quiet village of Knockholt, Kent, on Valentine’s Day, as 43-year-old Lisa Smith, a mother of two from Slough, was fatally shot outside the Three Horseshoes pub. Shortly after 7:00 PM GMT on Friday, the incident left the community in shock and mourning.
A Community in Mourning
Tributes have been pouring in at the scene of the shooting, with flowers, balloons, and heartfelt messages left outside the pub. A balloon inscribed with “Wonderful Mum” and notes such as “rest in peace” and “fly high, pretty lady” reflects the deep sorrow felt by friends, family, and residents.
Rev Tim Edwards, vicar of St Katherine’s Church in Knockholt, expressed the disbelief that has gripped the village. Speaking to BBC Radio Kent, he shared, “I had a text message from one of my churchwardens, and my immediate reaction was, ‘No, that must be a misunderstanding, that doesn’t make sense.’” He noted that many others in the village shared the same sentiment of shock and grief. “It just doesn’t feel real. This sort of thing doesn’t happen here. It’s the sort of thing you see on television, not in your village.”
Suspect Identified as Husband Edvard Stockings
Police have since identified the suspect as Ms. Smith’s husband, Edvard Stockings. After the shooting, authorities discovered a vehicle containing a firearm on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which spans the River Thames near Dartford. Investigators believe that Stockings took his own life by jumping off the bridge shortly after the fatal shooting.
Reports indicate that Kent Police received emergency calls regarding a man seen “on the wrong side of the barrier” on the Dartford Bridge on Friday. Authorities are focusing efforts on recovering his body from the River Thames, emphasizing that they believe the suspect was known to the victim.
Ongoing Investigation
According to sources, Lisa Smith had been at the pub with a female friend when the tragic event took place. Kent Police confirmed that after the shooting, the suspect fled the scene, leaving behind the car and firearm near the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Officers later received distressing reports of a man on the bridge, supporting their theory that Stockings took his own life.
