Authorities are currently conducting a search for the individual involved in the tragic shooting at a Kent pub on Valentine’s Day, and they have recently recovered a body from the River Thames.
Lisa Smith, aged 43, tragically lost her life after being shot outside The Three Horseshoes in Knockholt on the fateful evening of Friday, 14th February.
Following the incident, the suspected perpetrator, identified as Edvard Smith, is believed to have plunged into the Thames from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge in Dartford, approximately 17 miles away from the scene.
During that same period, the suspect’s vehicle, containing a firearm, was discovered abandoned on the bridge, with reports of a man observed on the wrong side of the barrier.
About a week post the tragic shooting incident, the Kent Police conveyed their belief that Edvard Smith had met his demise following his fall into the water.
Subsequently, the police force has confirmed the discovery of a body in the Thames near Rainham, Essex, on Friday afternoon. While formal identification is pending, the suspect’s family has been informed of this development.
It has been disclosed that Edvard Smith was acquainted with Ms. Smith, and there was no prior interaction between the authorities and either the victim or the suspect.
‘So much commotion’
In the aftermath of the shooting, Michelle Thomas, the landlady of The Three Horseshoes, recounted to Sky News her experience of hearing two loud bangs, initially mistaken for fireworks, during the attack.
She vividly described the chaotic scene of «so much commotion – screaming, shouting, crying,» emphasizing the profound shock that gripped the community following the shooting incident.
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CCTV captures sound of gunshots near fatal shooting site
Ms. Smith, hailing from Slough, had previously visited the pub, primarily during the summer months, but was not a regular patron.
According to Ms. Thomas, approximately 30 individuals were present at the pub for dinner, with an additional 20 in the bar when the incident transpired shortly after 7 pm.
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The Kent Police issued a statement on Saturday: «A body has been retrieved from the River Thames by law enforcement, linked to an ongoing murder inquiry in Knockholt.
«On Friday, 14th February 2025, Lisa Smith, aged 43, was fatally shot outside a pub on Main Road. The suspect had prior connections to Lisa, and subsequent investigations revealed his abandoned vehicle on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. It was determined that he had fallen into the water below.
«At approximately 3:45 pm on Friday, 7th March, a body was located near Rainham, Essex. While formal identification is pending, the individual’s relatives have been notified.»