British couple found dead at house in southern France
A British couple have been found dead at a house in rural southwest France.
Investigators are reportedly looking at whether they were killed during a burglary but all lines of inquiry are said to remain open.
The identities of the victims have not been officially released but French news site La Depeche named them as Dawn and Andrew Searle.
Their bodies were discovered on Thursday in the hamlet of Les Pesquies, near Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in the Aveyron department.
French media reported they moved to the area about 10 years ago and were active in the local community.
Mr Searle is said to have previously worked as an organised crime financial investigator in the UK.
A LinkedIn profile in his name says he retired in 2015 after working for Barclays and Standard Life and was "enjoying life in rural France".
His page talks about "over 20 years experience specialising in Financial Crime Prevention (AML, Fraud and Anti-Bribery) with a high profile in the industry and an extensive network of contacts".
Police, gendarmerie, forensics officers and the public prosecutor were at the scene on Thursday, France3 reported.
It said a neighbour discovered their bodies and quoted the local mayor as saying they were a popular couple who had dogs and got on with everyone.
A Foreign Office spokesperson told Sky News: "We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Return of the Mack star Mark Morrison's team hit out as battery charge dropped
Mark Morrison, whose song Return of the Mack topped the UK charts in 1996, was taken into custody on Saturday but denied that any battery occurred at Le Bar à Vin in Palm Beach, Florida A battery charge against British singer Mark Morrison - best known for his 1996 hit Return of the Mack - has been dropped. The musician, 51, was taken into custody on Saturday after an alleged altercation at Le Bar à Vin in Palm Beach, Florida. However, the star's lawyers have today confirmed he was at the restaurant to talk to the manager and attempt to collect payment on behalf of a local singer who had performed at the venue. Although the "conversation escalated", Mr Morrison's lawyers said no physical altercation happened and now police have been able to dismiss the battery charge. In a statement, King Legal Group said: "The decision to nolle prosse (formally decline prosecution) ends what should never have been a criminal matter in the first place. "Mr Morrison has consistently and unequivocally denied that any battery occurred. There was no physical altercation—only a demand for fairness and accountability. The evidence never supported criminal intent or conduct." The legal team explained how Mr Morrison, whose track Return of the Mack spent two weeks as UK number one in April 1996, values standing up for what he believes in. However, they suggested race may have played a role in how the singer was treated. "While we are relieved the State has dismissed the charge, the underlying context cannot be ignored. The refusal to pay — coupled with how quickly the situation was criminalised — raises legitimate concerns about whether race played a role in how Mr Morrison was treated. It's not lost on us that advocating for fair pay, especially as a Black man in a position of leadership, can be met with suspicion instead of dialogue," the statement added. "Mr Morrison has spent years supporting local artists and standing up for what's right. That won't change. He is grateful for those who stood by him, and he remains committed to uplifting the artistic community in Palm Beach County and beyond. Towards that end, and in furtherance of Mr Morrison's commitment to his community, he is donating the $1000.00 (£730) bond used to secure his appearance, to Little Smiles, a local children's charity." Mr Morrison posed for a mugshot in a blue jumpsuit before he was released on Sunday morning. The musician has had a long history of both musical success and legal troubles. He burst onto the music scene in the mid-90s, enjoyed significant success with Return of the Mack. The song became an anthem of its time, widely regarded as one of the defining tracks of the 1990s R&B movement. Its success propelled Mr Morrison into the spotlight, and he quickly became one of the genre's most promising stars.
Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
Couple steal back their £46k car after 'police fail to act'
The couple had tagged their £46k Jaguar with an Apple Airtag - after tracking it to a London street, they were told cops couldn't immediately help. A stunned couple were forced to steal back their own Jaguar after police told them they couldn't offer immediate help. Mia Forbes Pirie, 48, and partner Mark Simpson, 62, were shocked when they discovered their £46,000 Jaguar E-Pace had vanished from outside their Brook Green home In West London on Wednesday morning, reports the Mirror. The pair had fitted the SUV with an Apple Airtag, allowing them to trace it to a street in Chiswick by 10.30am. However, after calling 999 they were not able to confirm when police would investigate. With no help on the horizon, the furious couple decided to take matters into their own hands. Mark said he was "nervous" as he and Ms Forbes Pirie made the four-mile journey to the car's new location. They discovered the car abandoned on a quiet back street, with the carpets and interior stripped by thieves who had attempted to access its wiring. The car was also fitted with a 'ghost immobiliser - an ant-theft device that prevents the car from starting unless a specific sequence of buttons is pressed on the dashboard. Ther pair, both legal professionals, made the decision to install multiple layers of security after a previous car theft. The last AirTag signal had gone off outside their home at around 3.20am, suggesting the car was likely taken overnight. Neighbours then reported hearing unusual noises during the night. Mia and Mark believe the theft was "reasonably sophisticated" and likely involved a tow or flatbed truck. Posting to LinkedIn, Ms Forbes Pirie said it was "kind of fun" stealing back the car but questioned "why we should have had to do that". She added: "[Is] it right that the police seem to have no interest in investigating what is likely to have been a reasonably sophisticated operation involving a flat bed truck… if there are no consequences, what is the incentive for people not to do more of this?" Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Speaking to the Times, Ms Forbes Pirie said she thought the Met's inability to respond was down to a lack of resourcing. She said: "The police are under-resourced and it's a shame. "But if there aren't any consequences to people stealing cars or a lot of the other crimes where there aren't any consequences, then I don't really see what the deterrent is to stop people from doing it more." Official Met Police figures show there were 33,530 motor vehicle thefts in London in 2024 - a 1.6% rise on the previous year. Only 326 resulted in a 'positive outcome' such as a charge or caution, a rate of less than 1%.
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit teen jailed in Dubai over holiday fling begs for mercy
The teen has pinned his hopes of release on a pardon from Dubai's leader 'PLEASE FREE ME' 'PLEASE FREE ME' Brit teen jailed in Dubai over holiday fling begs for mercy A BRITISH teenager jailed in Dubai over a holiday fling has begged for mercy. Marcus Fakana, 19, has submitted a plea for clemency to the country's ruler. 2 Brit teen Marcus Fakana, 19, jailed in Dubai over a holiday romance, has begged the country's ruler for clemency Credit: PA 2 The Brit teen is being held at the harsh Al Awir prison Credit: AFP He was sentenced to a year in prison for having consensual sex with a 17-year-old British girl. Both Marcus and his young lover had met while on holiday with their families. Marcus, who was 18 at the time, has been held for months in the harsh Al Awir prison. He has now pinned his hopes on a pardon from Dubai's leader, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. READ MORE UK NEWS CASHING IN 9m pensioners will get Winter Fuel Payment after U-turn - will YOU get the cash? Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, which is supporting the teen's family, said: 'This has been the most traumatic and life-altering experience imaginable for Marcus. 'He is barely an adult himself and never intended to break any law. 'What happened was legal in the UK and consensual. 'But now he is facing permanent damage to his mental health and future prospects.' Prison conditions are reportedly taking a toll on Marcus, who is said to have only limited contact with his family. His parents, from Tottenham, North London, have made repeated appeals to Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP. I jetted off on ultimate lads' weekend…only to be arrested, tortured at 'Dubai Alcatraz' & threatened with death by firing squad They have also asked the British Embassy in Dubai to help secure his release. Ms Stirling added: 'Marcus has shown remorse and fully respects the laws of the UAE. 'He only hopes the government will show compassion and allow him to return home to rebuild his life. 'We implore Sheikh Mohammed to hear his pleas.'
