‘Problem from their past’: Mayor who wed ‘happy’ Brit couple found dead in France poses chilling theory behind tragedy

A MAYOR who wed the "happy" British couple found dead at their French home has revealed a chilling theory behind their tragic deaths.

The bodies of retired financial crime investigator Andrew, 62, and Dawn Searle, 56, were discovered after failing to turn up for a dog walk on Thursday.

He was found hanged at their home in Les Pesquiès, near Villefranche-de-Rouergue, after his wife was seemingly beaten to death just outside in her pyjamas.

The couple moved to the French hamlet almost a decade ago and got married in 2023.

Local mayor Jean-Sebastien Orcibal who officiated their wedding said he believes the deaths could be linked to "problems from the past".

Mr Orcibal, who also happens to be the couple's neighbour, told : "It doesn't seem like the problem comes from 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."

Speaking from the room in which he married Andrew and Dawn in September 2023, Mr Orcibal added: “I knew them as well because we were neighbours as I live in Pesquies as well.

“We got to socialise. They were very well integrated in the area.”

Post mortems into the tragic deaths were set to be carried out on Monday to confirm how they died.

Nicolas Rigot-Muller, the Rodez prosecutor in charge of the investigation, confirmed the autopsies were set to be held in Montpellier - but details won’t be released until a press conference at 5pm on Tuesday.

He said on Monday: “Today, the autopsies are taking place. It's very open.

“It's far too early for me to say anything, we have to keep our eyes peeled.

“We're not favouring any direction at the moment. I cannot say if we’re looking for someone.”

Confirming no arrests have been made, he said: “Both died violent deaths, but I cannot yet firmly establish homicide.”

One investigation into the deaths is said to be centring on the husband's money problems.

Officials refused to comment on suggestions that Andrew borrowed money from unsavoury characters to cover a bill for several thousand euros owed to a local business.

But a source confirmed they were going over finances with a fine-tooth comb.

They said: "Money difficulties can often be the cause of much wider problems and that's why finances are a key part of the inquiry."

Andrew, a retired financial crime investigator, reportedly used a pension lump sum to buy their home in Les Pesquiès, south west France.

It came as detectives were uncovering “vital clues” about the couple’s final hours from trawling through their mobile phones.

Andrew’s mobile device is proving “particularly helpful”, according to one detective, after he was spotted making animated calls in previous days.

An investigating source said: “There is a mine of information and recent calls made by Mr Searle which are providing vital clues.”

One line of inquiry is whether it was a possible murder-suicide.

Others include a botched burglary or a hitman linked to Andrew’s anti-fraud work with British banks Standard Life and Barclays.

CCTV footage from a local news agency 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.

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.

Andrew and Dawn were labelled by local friends as being a "popular" and "happy couple".

Family friend, Odile Marian said: "They never talked about threats. They were not hiding. They were not feeling threatened.

"I don’t know anyone who didn’t like the couple - it would be impossible not to appreciate them."