French prosecutors confirm how Andrew and Dawn Searle died

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French prosecutors confirm how Andrew and Dawn Searle died

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Andrew and Dawn Searle had lived in France for about 10 years

French prosecutors have confirmed how a British couple died, five days after they were found in their rural home in south-west France.

The bodies of Andrew and Dawn Searle were discovered by a neighbour in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès, north of Toulouse, on Thursday.

Post-mortem examinations have now confirmed Mr Searle, 62, died from hanging and Mrs Searle, 56, suffered “multiple blows to the head with a blunt and sharp-edged object”.

Prosecutors in Rodez issued an update on the case but the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the couple – who moved to France from Scotland about 10 years ago – remain unclear.

The statement added: “The investigation is ongoing, particularly to determine whether the tragedy resulted from a domestic crime followed by suicide or involved a third party.”

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Former Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr walked his mother Dawn Searle down the aisle in 2023

Ms Searle grew up in Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, and Mr Searle was originally from England.

They lived in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, before they moved to France and married in Villefranche-de-Rouergue in 2023.

According to his LinkedIn page, Mr Searle previously worked in financial crime prevention at companies including Standard Life and Barclays Bank.

On Saturday Ms Searle’s son, ex-Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr, issued a statement on social media on behalf of the couple’s four shared children.

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France Television

The bodies were discovered at the property early on Thursday afternoon

Mr and Mrs Searle were found dead at about 12:27 on Thursday at their home in Les Pesquiès.

The discovery was made by a neighbour, who went to check on them when they failed to turn up for a planned dog walk.

The area around their detached house was sealed off while investigations took place, and local police called in expert help from Toulouse, which is about 70km (43 miles) away.

As well as intensive forensics activity a helicopter and a drone were also sent to the site.

Mr Kerr, who played PC George Kiss in Hollyoaks and has appeared in

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’s Virgin River, previously posted a statement on

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.

It read: “At this time, Callum Kerr and Amanda Kerr are grieving the loss of their mother, Dawn Searle (née Smith, Kerr) while Tom Searle and Ella Searle are mourning the loss of their father, Andrew Searle.”

The 30-year-old requested that the family’s privacy was respected during this “difficult *******”, adding that they would provide updates as appropriate.

Mr Kerr, who walked his mother down the aisle, has also released a number of country songs.

A spokesperson for the ***’s 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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