‘No evidence third party involved’ in deaths of British couple in south-west France
Investigators update The Connexion on Dawn Kerr and Andrew Searle case
The bodies of Dawn Kerr and Andrew Searle were discovered at their home near Villefranche-de-Rouergue on February 6
Holly Evans/Facebook
There is no evidence so far that a third party was involved in the deaths of Britons Dawn Kerr and Andrew Searle, investigators say.
The British couple were found dead at their home in the south-west of France on February 6, leading to intense media speculation on both sides of the Channel.
A neighbour found the body of Dawn Kerr, 56, lying partially undressed outside the couple’s home while walking his dog in Pesquiés, in the commune of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Aveyron.
She had received several blows to the skull with a heavy, sharp object.
Mr Searle, 62, was found hanged from a radiator inside the house.
‘No evidence so far of third party’
Montpellier procureur Fabrice Belargent who took over the investigation on February 14 after an initial investigation by the Rodez procureur, told The Connexion on April 3 that there is “no evidence so far that a third party was involved in their deaths”.
Other media outlets - including the BBC - have reports corroborating this, albeit with several suggesting that the deaths are being treated as a ‘murder-suicide’.
The procureur’s office did not say that this is the case.
The couple were reportedly well integrated into the local British community of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, attending local parties and lunches and regularly walking their dog with neighbours.
Their deaths shocked the local community and gave rise to significant media speculation, fuelled in part by fame of Mrs Kerr’s son, Callum Kerr, who is known for the Netflix drama Virgin River.
A psychological support group has been put in place to help local residents manage the trauma of the deaths.
