Shooting suspect called friend and said ’she’s dead’

The man suspected of fatally shooting his wife, Lisa Smith, outside a pub in Kent called friends after it happened and revealed what he had done, the BBC has been told.

Edvard Stockings, also known by the surname Smith, called Leslie Thompson less than two hours after the shooting outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt 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 Stockings shot his wife after having a breakdown.

Police said officers believed Mr Stockings then drove to the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, near Dartford, and entered the River Thames.

His body has not been found after more than three days of searches along the river.

Ms Smith, 43, was shot dead in the car park of the pub shortly after 19:00 GMT on Valentines’ Day.

A CCTV camera nearby captured the sound of three gunshots, followed by shouting and screaming.

Mr Thompson told the BBC that his phone rang at around 20:50, and Mr Stockings told him: "I can’t live, we’ve all gone together" and that "armed police will probably shoot me."

Police said call handlers had received reports of a man "on the wrong side of the barrier" on the bridge on Friday.

In a statement on Monday the force said he had "fallen" into the river.

The search operation has involved the Coastguard, RNLI, London Fire Brigade drones and a Metropolitan Police boat team.

A car and gun, linked to the suspect, were found "next to the Dartford crossing", the police said.