'LIFE WAS GOOD'
Devastated pals of Brit couple found dead in France refuse to believe chilling theory as ‘thousands of questions’ raised
Family members have also spoken out following the shock deaths
HEARTBROKEN friends of a British couple found dead at their French home have refused to believe a chilling new theory into the shocking deaths.
The bodies of Andrew, 62, and Dawn Searle, 56, were discovered in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, on Thursday.
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The couple's pals spoke out after local sources said it had taken Andrew over a year to pay a bill of several thousand euros amid issues with his UK pension.
He was seen crying in town after finally settling the bill in December.
But British expats who were close friends with the Searles last night refused to believe any economic hardship could have led to a possible murder-suicide.
One couple, aged in their late 60s who live in a nearby village, said: "Us Brits, who knew Dawn and Andy very well, are certain this is not a murder-suicide.
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"They weren't flashy by any means, but they were definitely comfortable and had it good out here.
"They were always travelling. They recently went to a family wedding in Goa, they went to South America for their honeymoon.
"They were also still working - Dawn was a project manager and Andy still did some freelance work.
“Life was good, why would they want to kill themselves?”
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It came as former banking colleagues expressed their "utter shock" at ex-financial crime investigator Andrew’s sudden death.
Keith Falconer, previously Standard Life’s Group Head of Financial Crime, wrote on LinkedIn: “Really struggling to process this tragic and horrific story about my former colleague Andrew Searle. My thoughts are with his family.”
Brit woman killed alongside husband at French home is mum of Hollyoaks & Virgin River star as cops probe ‘mob hit’ fears
David Williams commented: “Devastating news, can’t believe this has happened to two such beautiful people.”
Trish Divine added: “Utter shock. He was a gentleman. Really feel for the family.”
A finance industry source suggested Andrew’s work for banks would have been largely anonymous.
He said: “These are large departments and organised criminals know that’s how it works. It’s kind of an anonymous process, frankly.
“There’s thousands of people in the UK working in financial institutions doing the type of work he would have been doing.
“I don’t think he was doing something particularly unusual. And it was a long time ago.
“Checks are done all day every day. It isn’t really about individuals going up against individuals. That’s just not how it works.
“If he’s been freelancing since then, has he been doing similar work which has been more bespoke or specific circumstances or with smaller clients? I have no idea.”
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Andrew, originally from West Sussex, and Dawn, from Scotland, were first believed to have been killed during a burglary gone wrong at their remote home in south west France.
But then information from the investigation into the couple's deaths revealed that they may have been targeted by hitmen with Andrew being a former organised crime investigator.
Reports have also claiming Andrew may have been tortured before his death.
Dawn was found with a head wound near the front door while surrounded by scattered jewellery.
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No weapons were found at the scene and no bullet or knife wounds were found in an initial examination of the bodies, a source close to the investigation told La Depeche du Midi.
Regional prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller - who is in charge of the investigation - said: ";Both died a violent death - all leads are being examined."
CCTV footage from a local news agents caught Andrew's last sighting, the day before the couple were found dead.
He was seen buying two lottery tickets and a bar of chocolate on Wednesday, shortly before 6pm.
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The shopkeeper who served Andrew, Isabelle Palazy, 58, shared details about her interaction with the Brit.
She said: "I just couldn't believe it when I heard the news. He and Dawn were regular customers. He would come in every day and buy Fortuna Blue cigarettes.
"That day he came in just before I was closing and he seemed perfectly happy, he was relaxed and he chatted and bought some chocolate and two lottery tickets.
FAMILY'S PAIN
Andrew's heartbroken father, Fred Searle, 88, said he has been left with "thousands of questions" following the shock news.
Fred flew to Toulouse on Saturday, near his son's home, as he wanted to bring the whole family together.
The former British Army major from Littlehampton, West Sussex, said: "We’ve got thousands of questions and very few answers."
Dawn's son, Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, also shared his anguish in a heartbreaking online statement.
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The message posted on Instagram said: "At this time, Callum Kerr and Amanda Kerr are grieving the loss of their mother, Dawn Searle (nee Smith, Kerr), while Tom Searle and Ella Searle are mourning the loss of their father, Andrew Searle.
"We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period.
"We will provide updates as appropriate. Thank you for your understanding."
Callum, who is also a country singer based in Nashville with his fiancé, walked his mother down the aisle when she married Andrew in September 2023.
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Callum, known for playing PC George Kiss in the series between 2020 and 2021, walked his mother down the aisle when she married Andrew in September 2023.
He also starred in Netflix's Virgin River - playing young Everett, Mel's father, in the most recent series.
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