COPS have found a body in the hunt for a man who “shot a mum dead” on Valentine’s Day before reportedly jumping off the QE2 bridge.
Lisa Smith, 43, was killed by a man “known to her” at the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, on Valentine’s Day, investigators believe.
EnterpriseLisa Smith, 43, has been named as the woman who was shot dead[/caption]
Cops are now hunting for prime suspect Edvard Stockings
PAPolice were called to the pub shortly after 7pm[/caption]
Cops scouring the River Thames have found a bodyUKNIP
After the shooting, the suspect, named as Edvard Stockings, drove 17 miles to the Dartford Crossing where cops later found his vehicle with a firearm inside, said Kent Police.
It is understood he fell into the River Thames after being spotted on the wrong side of the bridge barrier, and was swept to his death, the force said.
Now, Kent police have recovered a body from the River Thames “linked to the murder investigation” – though are yet to confirm the identity.
However, the man’s family have been informed, cops confirmed.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “A body has been recovered by police from the River Thames, which is being linked to a murder investigation in Knockholt.
“On Friday 14 February 2025, Lisa Smith, 43, was killed after she was shot outside a pub in Main Road.
“The suspect was known to Lisa and later that evening officers found his car abandoned on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Enquiries established he had fallen into the water below.
“At around 3.45pm on Friday 7 March, a body was located near Rainham, Essex. Formal identification has not yet taken place; however, the man’s family have been informed.”
HORROR MOMENT MUM SHOT DEAD
Distressing video footage has now captured the moment gunshots rang out during the tragedy on Valentine’s Day.
In the footage – taken on CCTV from a nearby shop – a horrified onlooker can be heard screaming “he’s killed her”.
The Sun understands that any passing cars or pedestrians seen in the footage are not connected to the attack in any way.
Cops previously confirmed that they believe that the mum-of-two was known to her attacker.
One source said Lisa – also known as Lisa Stockings – had been in the pub with a female friend before she was pronounced dead at the scene following the tragedy.
Flowers and tributes have been seen being laid near the car park as the investigation continues.
Grieving Teejay Smith paid tribute to his mum Lisa following the horror shooting last month.
The 19-year-old posted a photo of him and his mum, writing: “My mum, the best woman to walk in two shoes.”
Teejay posted a number of snaps of his mother, including one picture showing Lisa posing next to an Amy Winehouse statue.
Another showed her dolled up in a sparkly dress at a glitzy dinner event.
Posting a video of floral tributes left at the scene, Donna Kidd said: “Taken way too soon, our lady Lisa girl loved forever and always never be another Lisa.
“Girl love from all your girls.”
Marylou Tom Harber added: “No words so sad RIP Lisa girl to beautiful for this earth.”
UKNIPPolice believe the gunman may have ‘entered the water’ at the Dartford Crossing[/caption]
EnterpriseFlowers and tributes were laid outside the Three Horseshoes pub[/caption]
Photos of Lisa have been shared alongside tributes
A mourner said: “She was a wonderful mum, a beautiful woman, they’d just had a granddaughter. They had everything going for them.
“I just can’t understand what happened, they were so happy.
“We know them from Lingfield, we’re family, my son grew up with theirs.
“She had two children, they were 21 and 10 – how do you explain to a 10 year old what’s happened?”
The second devastated mourner said: “She was a great, great woman, I just can’t believe it.”
Meanwhile, other tributes left at the scene include a touching card reading: “Our love and prayers are with your family, especially your boys and granddaughter.
“May they continue to frown knowing the love you always showed them.
“May your light continue to shine as bright as it always has.”
Two other cards read: “Dear Lisa, rest in peace.”
Many people had left Red Bull along with their written tributes on a grass bank.
One said: “She was a wonderful mum, a beautiful woman, they’d just had a granddaughter. They had everything going for them.
“I just can’t understand what happened, they were so happy.
“We know them from Lingfield, we’re family, my son grew up with theirs.
“She had two children, they were 21 and 10 – how do you explain to a 10 year old what’s happened?”
The second devastated mourner said: “She was a great, great woman, I just can’t believe it.”
Balloons with the words “a wonderful mum” had also been left tied to a brick near the flowers.
Another balloon had the Disney mermaid Ariel.
Later a floral tribute and note was left by a woman who knew Lisa as a customer from her shop.
Fighting back tears, she said: “She was beautiful – an absolutely beautiful woman.
“Just gorgeous, a lovely family. I knew her and her family for years, her kids too, she was lovely.
“You just can’t know why things like this happen.”
‘THREE LOUD BANGS’
One resident has told how she heard three loud bangs as the horror unfolded.
Another revealed petrified couples were “locked in” the pub for their own safety.
The villager, who lives close to the pub, said: “I heard three loud bangs and a bit of commotion.”
The pub’s landlady Michelle Thomas described how the tragedy unfolded while she was printing off menus for Valentine’s Day dinner service.
Michelle says she heard two bangs as Lisa was shot, with the mum-of-two later being pronounced dead at the scene.
She added there was “screaming, shouting, crying” and that the whole community was in shock.
She told Sky News: “There was so much commotion — screaming, shouting, crying.
“People were outside on their phones. We tried to get people inside the pub.
“People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening.”
Michelle said the victim was not a regular at the pub, where floral tributes were laid yesterday, but had been there before, “mostly in the summer”.
As 30 people were seated for dinner, another 20 customers were in the bar as the incident took place.
My mum, the best woman to walk in two shoes.
Teejay Smith, 19
One villager, who would only give her name as Julie, said armed police swooped on the pub.
She said: “My brother-in-law and sister-in-law were in the pub for valentines dinner. They were locked in.
“I was texting them making sure they were okay. There were armed police all over the pub.
“When they were told to come home they had to have their picture taken and they were escorted home by the police.
“It is scary. It was really distressing for them.”
Ray Picot, 70, said: “Just after 7pm I heard the shots. Bang, bang. I thought it was a road traffic collision at first.
“I thought ‘oh no not another accident’. The helicopter was buzzing around for hours.
“I’ve lived here 30 years and it’s a real shock. It’s such a quiet area.”
Lisa alongside a statue of Amy Winehouse
UKNIPA bullet casing found outside the pub[/caption]
PAForensics teams have been scouring the pub and its surrounding area[/caption]
UKNIPPolice believe the gunman may have ‘entered the water’ at the Dartford Crossing[/caption]
UKNIPA blue Seat car with its window smashed outside the pub[/caption]
PAForensics teams have been scouring the pub and its surrounding area[/caption]
UKNIPEmergency services had been called following reports of a ‘disturbance’ at the pub[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
