Latest news with #CallumKerr
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Callum Kerr of Netflix's 'Virgin River' releases statement on parents' death
Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Scottish actor Callum Kerr issued a statement Sunday following the death of his mother and stepfather in France. The bodies of Kerr's stepfather, retired fraud investigator Andrew Searle and Kerr's mother Dawn were discovered Thursday at their home in southwest France, Deadline reported. "At this time, Callum Kerr, Amanda Kerr, Tom Searle & Ella Searle are grieving the tragic loss of their mother and father, Dawn and Andrew Searle. No family member is available for media interviews or comments," Kerr posted on social media. "We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period. We will provide updates as appropriate." Dawn Searle's body was found outside the couple's property, surrounded by jewelry, The Guardian reported. Emergency responders later discovered Andrew Searle's corpse. Callum Kerr is best known for his role as George Kiss on BBC Channel 4 program Hollyoaks in 2020 and 2021 and also had recurring roles in the Fox program Monarch. Most recently, he starred in the Netflix series Virgin River. He also released a number of country music songs. BBC News reported that the public prosecutor said: "Both died violent deaths, but I cannot establish that either was a homicide. All hypotheses remain open." Autopsies on Searle and Kerr are scheduled to begin Monday.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Callum Kerr, 'Virgin River' Star, Mourns Shocking Family Loss
Actor Callum Kerr, who joined the hit Netflix show Virgin River in 2024 as the character Everett, is mourning the loss of his mother and stepfather after their tragic deaths. Kerr's management team shared the sad news on social media with the statement, "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." 🎬 🎬 "No family member is available for media interviews or comments. We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period. We will provide updates as appropriate. Thank you for your understanding," the statement concluded. View the to see embedded media. Kerr's mother and stepfather were found dead at their home in France by a neighbor on Thursday, Feb. 6, as reported by BBC, after they didn't show up for a scheduled lunch with friends. Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, the mayor of the area in which the couple lived, told French news that the deaths were "clearly a homicide." Orcibal, who reportedly married the couple in 2023, added, via The Sunday Times, 'There was no problem between them, so I can't believe it was a family drama, or a burglary that went wrong." A source told the publication, 'A criminal inquiry has been launched and the fear is that the couple were murdered. They were very fit, and very popular locally, but there is a theory that they were being pursued by criminals from the United Kingdom." Fred Searle, the 88-year-old father of Andrew who flew to France after his son's passing, spoke with The Sunday Times as well, saying, 'We've got thousands of questions and very few answers.' View the to see embedded media. In 2023, Kerr shared a joyful photo of himself walking his mother down the aisle for her wedding, writing, "Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure!! I love you mum." "Congrats to Dawn and Andy on their wonderful wedding day and here's to a tremendous life together for the happy couple 🥂," the caption went on. As of writing, no official cause of death has been declared and no arrests have been made. Parade reached out to Kerr's team for comment but did not hear back in time for publishing. Next:
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Virgin River' Actor Issues Statement After Mother, Stepfather Discovered Dead At French Home
Scottish actor Callum Kerr has issued a statement following the shock death of his mother alongside her husband in France. UK media previously reported that the bodies of retired fraud investigator Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered Thursday at their home near Villefranche-de-Rouergue in south-west France. More from Deadline Channel 4 Distances Itself From Tweets Branding European Jews "Lying Scumbags" Posted By Contestant On New Reality Series 'Go Back To Where You Came From' Channel 4 Boss Warns Against UK "Sliding Into American News Swamp" BBC Apologizes After Investigation Finds LA Staff "Joked" About Russell Brand Exposing Himself To Woman In Bathroom It was later confirmed that Dawn Searle was the mother of actor Kerr, who played PC George Kiss from January 2020 to April 2021 in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks. He also had a recurring role in Fox musical drama Monarch, and appeared in Netflix drama Virgin River. As a musician, he has released a number of country songs. He shared a statement on social media Sunday, saying: 'At this time, Callum Kerr, Amanda Kerr, Tom Searle & Ella Searle are grieving the tragic loss of their mother and father, Dawn and Andrew Searle. No family member is available for media interviews or comments. 'We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period. We will provide updates as appropriate.' The Guardian newspaper quoted local media reporting the body of Dawn Searle was found first outside the property, surrounded by jewellery. When emergency services were called, they discovered her husband also deceased. BBC News reported the public prosecutor confirming: 'Both died violent deaths, but I cannot establish that either was a homicide. All hypotheses remain open.' Autopsies on the deceased couple will begin Monday. Best of Deadline 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 'The Apprentice' Oscar Nominees Sebastian Stan & Jeremy Strong On Why It's 'More Of A Horror Movie' With "Monstrous Egos"
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
British couple's mysterious death in France leaves father with ‘a thousand questions'
The father of a former financial crime investigator who was found dead near his farmhouse in rural France has said his death leaves 'thousands of questions'. Fred Searle, 88, from Littlehampton, West Sussex, flew to France yesterday following the death of his son Andrew Searle, 62, who was discovered dead alongside his wife Dawn Searle in nearby hamlet Les Pesquiès. 'We've got thousands of questions and very few answers,' Mr Searle, a former British Army major, told The Sunday Times. Ms Searle, 56, was found lying outside the house in pyjamas with head injuries. Items of jewellery were scattered around her body, according to local media. Mr Searle was discovered inside the rural home by police, with one unconfirmed report claiming he was hanged. Town mayor Jean-Sébastien Orcibal said the deaths were 'clearly a homicide' and dismissed speculation that it was a 'burglary gone wrong'. Mayor Mr Orcibal said Mr and Ms Searle's deaths were not a 'family tragedy', suggesting officials believed they did not take their own lives or kill each other. He added: 'These people were well integrated into the village. [Mr Searle] was part of the festival committee a few years ago. 'They regularly invited the whole neighbourhood to come and have an aperitif at their place and share a festive moment. They knew a lot of people.' Detectives conducted a neighbourhood survey but locals said the couple had no obvious enemies. 'We knew them well,' neighbour Dominique Loubière said. 'They had dogs and sometimes we went for walks with them. They got along well with everyone. When we arrived, they introduced us to the neighbours. They were very nice.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Callum Kerr (@callum_kerr_1) Ms Searle's son is former hollyoaks">hollyoaks">Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr. In a statement posted to social media, the 30-year-old said: 'At this time, Callum Kerr, Amanda Kerr, Tom Searle & Ella Searle are grieving the tragic loss of their mother and father, Dawn and Andrew Searle. 'No family member is available for media interviews or comments. We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period. We will provide updates as appropriate.' Mr Kerr moved to the United States to pursue a career in country music after starring in the soap as PC George Kiss. He previously shared images on social media of him walking his mother down the aisle to marry Mr Searle in 2023. He wrote at the time: 'Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure! I love you mum. 'Congrats to Dawn and Andy on their wonderful wedding day and here's to a tremendous life together for the happy couple.' The couple moved to France from Scotland a decade ago after Mr Searle spent his career fighting organised crime and terrorism. This included tackling money-laundering syndicates in countries where sanctions have been imposed, such as Russia. Mr Searle reportedly also worked in financial crime prevention at Standard Life and Barclays Bank. Their home is situated in a wooded area near the hamlet of Les Pesquiés which has a population of just 100 people. It has been turned into an extensive crime scene, where forensic teams have been hunting for evidence. A helicopter and drones flew overhead in the search for clues. 'They were great neighbours,' a local resident said. 'We used to walk our pets together. They made us feel really welcome. It's weird to see this happen here, so close to home. 'They were appreciated by everyone and integrated into village life, despite the language barrier.' The home and its grounds remained cordoned off on Friday, and police were carrying out house-to-house enquiries. An investigating source said: 'A criminal inquiry has been launched and the fear is that the couple were murdered. 'They were very fit, and very popular locally, but there is a theory that they were being pursued by criminals from the United Kingdom. 'This is currently the prioritised line of enquiry, because Mr Searle was once involved in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.' A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.'
The Independent
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Ex-Hollyoaks actor ‘grieving' after death of mother and her husband in France
Former Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr is 'grieving the tragic loss' of his mother and her partner after the British couple were found dead in their home in south-west France. The bodies of Dawn and Andrew Searle were reportedly discovered on Thursday by a neighbour at their home in the village of Les Pesquies, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue. The cause of death of the couple in their 60s is currently unknown but a helicopter, drone, criminal investigation technicians and a forensic doctor have been dispatched to the home, according to French outlets. The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, reportedly told French television that the deaths were 'clearly a homicide'. A representative of Scottish-born actor Kerr told the PA news agency: '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.' Kerr is known for his role as Pc George Kiss in Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, as well as appearing in Netflix's Virgin River and drama Flowers In The Attic: The Origin. He has also released a number of country songs, including a new single this week titled Cold Beer Cold. In 2023, Kerr donned a tartan kilt as he walked his mother down the aisle for her wedding to Mr Searle. Alongside a photo of them walking arm-in-arm posted to Instagram, he wrote: 'Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure! I love you mum. 'Congrats to Dawn and Andy on their wonderful wedding day and here's to a tremendous life together for the happy couple.' A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: 'We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.'
