[ad_1]
For free actual time breaking information alerts despatched straight to your inbox signal as much as our breaking information emails
Sign as much as our free breaking information emails
Sign as much as our free breaking information emails
The father of a former monetary crime investigator who was discovered useless close to his farmhouse in rural France has stated his demise leaves “thousands of questions”.
Fred Searle, 88, from Littlehampton, West Sussex, flew to France yesterday following the demise of his son Andrew Searle, 62, who was found useless alongside his spouse Dawn Searle in close by hamlet Les Pesquiès.
“We’ve got thousands of questions and very few answers,” Mr Searle, a former British Army main, instructed The Sunday Times.
Ms Searle, 56, was discovered mendacity outdoors the home in pyjamas with head accidents. Items of jewelry had been scattered round her physique, in response to native media.
Mr Searle was found inside the agricultural dwelling by police, with one unconfirmed report claiming he was hanged.
Town mayor Jean-Sébastien Orcibal stated the deaths had been “clearly a homicide” and dismissed hypothesis that it was a “burglary gone wrong”.
open picture in gallery
Andrew and Dawn Searle at a competition (Facebook/Andrew Searle)
Mayor Mr Orcibal stated Mr and Ms Searle’s deaths weren’t a “family tragedy”, suggesting officers believed they didn’t take their very own lives or kill one another.
He added: “These people were well integrated into the village. [Mr Searle] was part of the festival committee a few years ago.
“They regularly invited the whole neighbourhood to come and have an aperitif at their place and share a festive moment. They knew a lot of people.”
Detectives carried out a neighbourhood survey however locals stated the couple had no apparent enemies. “We knew them well,” neighbour Dominique Loubière stated.
“They had dogs and sometimes we went for walks with them. They got along well with everyone. When we arrived, they introduced us to the neighbours. They were very nice.”
Ms Searle’s son is former hollyoaks”>hollyoaks”>Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr. In a press release posted to social media, the 30-year-old stated: “At this time, Callum Kerr, Amanda Kerr, Tom Searle & Ella Searle are grieving the tragic loss of their mother and father, Dawn and Andrew Searle.
“No family member is available for media interviews or comments. We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period. We will provide updates as appropriate.”
Mr Kerr moved to the United States to pursue a profession in nation music after starring within the cleaning soap as PC George Kiss.
He beforehand shared pictures on social media of him strolling his mom down the aisle to marry Mr Searle in 2023.
He wrote on the time: “Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure! I love you mum.
open image in gallery
Dawn Searle’s body was found alongside her husband’s at the home they shared (Dawn Kerr/Facebook)
“Congrats to Dawn and Andy on their wonderful wedding day and here’s to a tremendous life together for the happy couple.”
The couple moved to France from Scotland a decade in the past after Mr Searle spent his profession preventing organised crime and terrorism.
This included tackling money-laundering syndicates in international locations the place sanctions have been imposed, similar to Russia.
Mr Searle reportedly additionally labored in monetary crime prevention at Standard Life and Barclays Bank. Their house is located in a wooded space close to the hamlet of Les Pesquiés which has a inhabitants of simply 100 individuals.
It has been become an intensive crime scene, the place forensic groups have been attempting to find proof. A helicopter and drones flew overhead within the seek for clues.
open picture in gallery
The couple’s dwelling, the place they let loose a vacation flat (Chez Andrew et Dawn)
“They were great neighbours,” an area resident stated. “We used to walk our pets together. They made us feel really welcome. It’s weird to see this happen here, so close to home.
“They were appreciated by everyone and integrated into village life, despite the language barrier.”
The dwelling and its grounds remained cordoned off on Friday, and police had been finishing up house-to-house enquiries.
An investigating supply stated: “A criminal inquiry has been launched and the fear is that the couple were murdered.
open image in gallery
The village is north of Toulouse (Google Maps)
“They were very fit, and very popular locally, but there is a theory that they were being pursued by criminals from the United Kingdom.
“This is currently the prioritised line of enquiry, because Mr Searle was once involved in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.”
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign Office stated: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.”
[ad_2]
