A mum killed outside a Kent pub on Valentine’s Day died from a fatal gunshot wound to the neck, an inquest has heard.
Lisa Smith, 43, from Slough, was murdered near The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt last month.
Area coroner Roger Hatch opened an inquest into her death at Oakwood House, Maidstone, this morning.
The court heard how Ms Smith, who was married, was born in Sheerness but lived in Berkshire. Her cause of death was given as gunshot wound to the neck.
Previously, investigating officer DCI David Higham told KentOnline he had ‘total confidence’ the suspect, Edvard Stockings, who was Ms Smith’s partner, had fallen into the river.
It comes after a manhunt was launched to find Stockings, with officers attending the Dartford Crossing just before midnight on February 14, where a vehicle linked to the incident was recovered, alongside a firearm.
DCI Higham said: ‘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.’
Tributes have been paid to Ms Smith, who was also a grandmother, including from her son Teejay, who said: ‘My dear old mum, never be another to walk in her shoes, the best.’
Another tribute said: ‘Our love and prayers are with your family, especially your boys and your beautiful granddaughter.’
On Facebook, one woman wrote: ‘RIP Lisa. May god give you the best bed in heaven.’
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- Stories about violence against women don’t make an impact – this is why
- Men – we need your help to end violence against women
- What to do if your loved one is at risk from domestic abuse
A full inquest will be heard at the same location on September 17.
Learn more about femicide
- On average, one woman a week is killed by a partner/ex-partner.
- Of the 249 female domestic homicide victims between March 2020 and March 2022, the suspect was male in a staggering 241 cases.
- Women’s Aid have found that women are over three times more likely to be killed by a partner than by not wearing a seatbelt
- A Killed Women survey found that only 4% of bereaved family members said their loved one’s killing was not preventable at all
Haidresser Ryan Paul Anthony, who owns Paul Anthony Hair Salon in Iver, where Lisa had been a customer since 2017, also paid tribute.
He 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 were one in a million.’
The landlady of The Three Horseshoes Michelle Thomas described customers ‘screaming, shouting and crying’ as they realised what had happened when Lisa was shot.
About 30 people were at the pub for dinner, while 20 more were in the bar as the incident unfolded just after 7 pm on Valentine’s Day, she said.
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