A BODY believed to be the man accused of shooting his wife dead on Valentine's Day before jumping off a bridge has been spotted in the water, cops have said.
Lisa Smith, 43, was fatally gunned down outside The Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent, last week.
A man, thought to be suspect Edvard Stockings, is said to have fled the scene, with cops believing he later entered the River Thames.
DCI David Higham told the force has “good, reliable witness evidence” from drivers over the Dartford Crossing and CCTV that the suspect entered the water from the bridge.
He also revealed there had been a sighting of a body on Saturday - but it could not be recovered as it "became submerged again".
DCI Higham said: “It gives me total confidence the suspect has fallen into the river. We had a very large search parameter under the Dartford Crossing.
“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.”
They added, Lisa - also known as Lisa Stockings - was shot at around 7pm last Friday (February 14), with a car driven by someone she knew found later that evening abandoned on the QE2.
The force said a handgun was found inside the vehicle and enquiries have since established the suspect had entered the water below.
DCI Dave Higham said on Thursday: "We have carried out a full and extensive investigation into Lisa’s tragic murder and our enquiries 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.
"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."
One source said Lisa had been in the pub with a female friend before she was pronounced dead at the scene following the tragedy.
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 told : "There was so much commotion - screaming, shouting, crying. People were outside, on their phones.
"We tried to get people inside the pub to consolidate them. People were only just starting to sit down, it was early on in the evening."
As 30 people were seated for dinner, another 20 were situated in the bar as the shocking shooting began.
The landlady described the community as experiencing "absolute shock" as the pub reopened for the first time on Sunday following the tragedy.
Tributes have poured in for mum-of-two Lisa as she was pictured for the first time earlier this week.
Grieving Teejay Smith paid tribute to his murdered mother Lisa following the horror shooting.
The 19-year-old posted one of him and his mum, writing: "My mum, the best woman to walk in two shoes."
Teejay posted a number of snaps of his mum and one picture showed 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."
Meanwhile tributes were left at the scene, with flowers and balloons, placed on a nearby section of grass.
One touching card read: “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.
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