Mayor says death of British couple in French village may be linked to ‘problem from past’ | World News

The deaths of a British couple in rural France could be linked to a “problem from the past or somewhere far away,” according to a local mayor.

Andrew Searle, 62, and Dawn Searle, 56, are reported to have been found dead by a German friend, who lives nearby, after Mr Searle didn’t arrive for one of their regular dog walks.

The couple moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies around a decade ago and were married in 2023 in the nearby town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, by the mayor Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who is also their neighbour.

Speaking to Sky News from the town hall in which he conducted the couple’s wedding ceremony, he said: “It doesn’t seem like the problem comes from here because when we knew them and saw them living here they were very happy, very friendly and didn’t seem to have any problems.

“The problem seems to come from the past or somewhere far away.

“It’s an isolated act, it’s very independent. It doesn’t say that it’s a very dangerous territory, in fact, it’s very peaceful and that’s why probably Andy and Dawn chose to live here, because it’s very peaceful.

“Now, did their past come back and get them? That’s another story. That’s totally different from where we are. It could’ve happened anywhere.”

Investigators are reportedly looking at whether the British couple was killed during a burglary, but all lines of inquiry – including murder-suicide or potential links to Mr Searle’s previous work as an organised crime financial investigator in the UK – are open.

A LinkedIn profile in his name says he retired in 2015 after working for Barclays and Standard Life, and was “enjoying life in rural France”.

His page talks about “over 20 years experience specialising in Financial Crime Prevention (AML, Fraud and Anti-Bribery) with a high profile in the industry and an extensive network of contacts”.

Neighbours described them as a happy couple, who have fully integrated into rural French life and hold an annual party for villagers.

Ms Searle’s hairdresser said she was due to see her for her monthly appointment next week and would also regularly see her at their Pilates class.

“She was really a very alive woman, she would come and bring some positive energy when she arrived in the room. She was a ball of positive energy,” she said.

She said Ms Searle would talk a lot about her children, who she would visit without her husband.

Ms Searle’s son, the country musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, said in an Instagram statement on Saturday that he and his sister Amanda Kerr and Mr Searle’s two children, Tom and Ella Searle, were grieving.

“She was always very joyful and happy,” the hairdresser said.

“She didn’t talk about any financial problems, I don’t think she has financial problems.

“She would say, ‘with Andy we did this, we did that’. She didn’t seem to have a problem with her husband.

“It’s really shocking and difficult to understand.”

Ms Searle’s body was reportedly found outside their home with a head injury, with jewellery found scattered nearby, while Mr Searle’s body was discovered inside the house hanged and gagged, according to local media.

But the reports have not been officially confirmed.

The public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller, who is leading the investigation, previously said that while both “died violent deaths… all hypotheses remain open”.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.”