Neighbours have been left in “shock” and concern after the sudden deaths of a well-liked British couple in rural France.
Daybreak and Andrew Searle, who haven’t but been formally named by French authorities, moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in southern France, round a decade in the past.
The couple, who’re of their 60s, are believed to have been discovered lifeless by a German pal who lives close by, after Mr Searle didn’t flip up for one in every of their common walks.
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Andrew and Daybreak Searle’s dwelling
Ms Searle’s son, the nation musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, stated in an announcement posted on-line that he and his sister, Amanda Kerr, and Mr Searle’s two kids, Tom and Ella Searle, had been grieving.
Investigators are reportedly whether or not the British couple had been killed throughout a housebreaking, however all traces of enquiry, together with murder-suicide or potential hyperlinks to Mr Searle’s earlier work as an organised crime monetary investigator within the UK – are open.
Ms Searle’s physique was reportedly discovered outdoors their dwelling, bare, with jewelry discovered scattered close by, whereas Mr Searle’s physique was found inside the home and had been gagged, in accordance with native media.
There was little signal of their deaths at their dwelling within the idyllic village on Monday, aside from the yellow and crimson Gendarmerie tape nonetheless on the white gate.
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Police on the scene. Investigators are reportedly whether or not the British couple had been killed throughout a housebreaking
Locals described them as “good neighbours” who would usually be seen strolling their two canines.
“Each year in September they would do this big dinner with all the village and invite everyone. They were very nice people,” stated a girl who lived close by.
“It’s extremely unhappy, it is tragic. It is a very low-key village, everyone will get together with one another and everyone’s in shock proper now, they’re stunned.
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The couple lived close to Villefranche-de-Rouergue Aveyron in southern France
A LinkedIn profile in his title says he retired in 2015 after working for Barclays and Customary Life, and was “enjoying life in rural France”.
His web page talks about having “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”.
One other girl stated she was about to purchase a home within the hamlet however is now having second ideas, including: “I don’t feel safe here anymore”.
A postman stated there was a giant UK expat group within the space, with round 20 British individuals on his spherical.
The Searles have lived within the village completely for 10 years and are stated to be very built-in with the group.
“They would enjoy life, they would travel and sometimes go home as well,” a neighbour stated.
The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who additionally lives in Les Pesquies, beforehand informed broadcaster France 3 the deaths had been “something criminal, a homicide very clearly”.
Nonetheless, the general public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller stated that whereas each “died violent deaths… all hypotheses remain open” whereas investigations proceed.
A Overseas Workplace spokesperson stated: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.”
