The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Police are set to continue their investigations into last week’s triple shooting in Spalding after an inquest was opened and adjourned today (Wednesday).
The deaths of Lance Hart, his wife Claire and daughter Charlotte of Moulton were confirmed by Detective Inspector Helen Evans who is the senior investigating officer in the case.
DI Evans revealed to the inquest that both Lance and Claire were confirmed dead at the scene in the car park of the Castle Sports Complex in Pinchbeck Road, Spalding.
Charlotte was unable to be saved despite urgent medical attention at the scene which had been cordoned off by police.
All three died from wounds inflicted by a single barrel shotgun and the provenance of the weapon used is an active line of enquiry the police are pursuing.
DI Evans added that witnesses had reported seeing a man shoot two people before turning the gun on himself.
Paul Cooper, senior coroner for south Lincolnshire, told the inquest that Claire had died due to injuries to the chest and abdomen and Charlotte to the upper abdomen. Lance had been killed by a self-inflicted gun shot to the head.
Mr Cooper, who adjourned the inquest until October 19, said that the police would be concentrating their enquiries on assertaining Lance Hart’s state of mind and his marital relationship.
Charlotte was a former pupil at Spalding High School who have paid tribute to an “exemplary student.”
The school’s statement said: “We are all deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of our former student, Charlotte Hart.
“Charlotte attended the High School for the whole of her secondary education between September 2008 and July 2015.
“She was an exemplary student in every way, who showed incredible kindness and empathy towards others.
“Charlotte had many close friends and her polite and caring nature endeared her to all who met her.
“Charlotte was incredibly driven to achieve her dream of studying midwifery at university and was successful in the extremely competitive interview process, where her personal qualities shone through.
“Academically, Charlotte excelled and her final grades were a tribute to her hard work and dedication.
“It is our students who make Spalding High School such a unique and special place to be and to lose Charlotte is devastating to us all.
“Our thoughts and sincerest condolences are with Charlotte’s brothers, her family and friends at this time.”
Claire was employed by Morrisons of Pinchbeck who said that she was an “incredibly popular” member of their team.
A Morrisons spokesman said: “Everyone at the store is shocked and deeply saddened.
“Claire was an incredibly popular and valued member of the team and our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.”
“Claire was an incredibly popular and valued member of the team and our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.”
Lincolnshire Police have confirmed that Lance Hart was not a shotgun certificate or firearms licence holder.
