C0UPLE HORROR
French cops reveal cause of death of Brit couple Andrew & Dawn Searle but CANNOT rule out if murderer is on the loose
CCTV footage from a local news agency caught Andrew's last sighting - the day before the couple were found dead
FRENCH cops have revealed the cause of death for the British couple found dead in their French holiday home - but can't rule out murder.
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.
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Andrew was found hanged at their home in Les Pesquiès, near Villefranche-de-Rouergue, with his wife seemingly beaten to death just outside in her pyjamas.
Pathologists in Montpellier carried out post-mortem examinations on Monday, confirming that Dawn had "severe wound to the skull caused by several blows caused by a sharp instrument" that hasn't been found.
Nicolas Rigot-Muller, the Rodez public prosecutor, said jewellery and cash was found scattered around her partially clothed body outside the house.
"For his part, the body of Andrew Searle was found hanged, without any trace of defensive wounds," said Mr Rigot-Muller.
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A criminal enquiry has been opened for murder, "in particular to determine whether the tragedy is the result of a domestic crime followed by suicide, or is the result of the intervention of a third party," said Mr Rigot-Muller.
The analysis at the Montpellier forensic institute have made it possible to reject any trace of sexual assault on Dawn, said the prosecutor.
The investigation is now trying to establish the precise chronology of events and the responsibilities of each party.
Police technicians have meanwhile been examining all devices belonging to the couple, and leads are being followed up.
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CCTV footage is also providing vital clues to solving the mystery, with detectives confident that any potential killer will have been picked up at some point by one of the scores of police, traffic and private cameras in the area.
The couple moved to the French hamlet almost a decade ago and got married in 2023.
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Before the autopsies took place, Mr Rigot-Muller said on Monday: "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 line of enquiry is said to be centring around 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.
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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.
Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, the local major who married the couple just two years ago, said he was convinced they had been murdered, while dismissing the theory of "a burglary gone wrong".
Like many in the hamlet, Mr Orcibal said the couple also had "too much to live for" for one to commit suicide after murdering the other.
CCTV shows 'murdered' Brit buying lottery tickets before he & wife found dead
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.
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"I don’t know anyone who didn’t like the couple - it would be impossible not to appreciate them."
A spokesperson for UK Foreign Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities."
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