Police recover body from River Thames believed to be linked to Valentine's Day shooting

Police have pulled a body from the River Thames, and the incident is being linked to a murder investigation in Knockholt.

Lisa Smith was shot dead outside of a pub in Kent on Valentine's Day and the suspect was said to be known to the 43-year-old.

The suspect left his car on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge following the shooting.

In a statement today (8 March), Kent Police said: "On Friday 14 February 2025, Lisa Smith, 43, was killed after she was shot outside a pub in Main Road.

Lisa Smith was shot dead outside of a pub in Kent on Valentine's Day (PA)

"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."

Lisa, from Slough, was killed near The Three Horseshoes pub just after 7pm on Valentine's Day.

Kent Police said the suspect fell from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge which crosses the Thames at Dartford 17 miles away.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Higham said at the time: "We have carried out a full and extensive investigation into Lisa’s tragic murder and our inquiries have concluded that the suspect is believed to have died after falling into the River Thames.

"Multiple searches of several areas of the river have since been assisted by the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and Coastguard, but at this stage we have not recovered a body.

Kent Police has provided an update (PA)

"These searches are ongoing and whilst our investigation will continue, we will be preparing our findings and reports to assist the coroner.

"This murder has led to the senseless loss of a beloved daughter and mother and our thoughts remain with Lisa’s family."

Michelle Thomas, who runs The Three Horseshoes pub, said she heard 'screaming, shouting' and 'crying' when the shooting took place.

"People were outside, on their phones. We tried to get people inside the pub to consolidate them," she said.

"People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening."

Thomas noted that around 30 people were at the pub for dinner, while 20 more were in the bar area.

Although the pub has reopened its doors, she said the community remains 'absolutely shocked' by the incident.

The suspect, who visited 'mostly in the summer, wasn't a regular'.