Scots mum was killed by husband in murder suicide at home in France
Dawn Searle and her husband Andrew were discovered dead at their home in Les Pequies on February 6.
The deaths of a Scots mum and her husband at their home in rural France is confirmed to have been a murder-suicide.
Dawn Searle, 56, and her husband Andrew, 62, were discovered dead at their property in Les Pequies on February 6.
Mrs Searle’s body was found in the garden with severe wounds to her head, while her husband’s body was found hanging inside.
The prosecutor in charge of the case told the BBC that there is no evidence to suggest another person was involved in their deaths.
Mrs Searle grew up in Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, and Mr Searle was originally from England.
The couple previously lived in Musselburgh and married in France two years ago. It is understood the couple lived in France for nearly a decade.
Their bodies were discovered after neighbours became worried as they hadn’t seen the couple walk their dogs.
Mrs Searle’s body was found outside their home by a horrified friend. She had suffered a head injury and there was jewellery scattered around her.
Dawn Searle’s son, the Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr, issued a statement on social media at the time of their deaths.
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.”
Mr Kerr, 30, walked his mother down the aisle when she married Mr Searle at a ceremony in France in 2023. The Record earlier revealed Dawn had been planning a trip to Scotland in the weeks before her death.
The project manager had posted an advert looking for a house to stay in when she visited for her son’s wedding.
A post shared on Facebook group ‘House and Pet Sitters UK’ on January 3 read: “Hello, my name is Dawn and I lived in Scotland all my life before moving to France nine years ago.
“I have family in the Edinburgh area and often visit this beautiful city. I would much prefer to house sit on my trips which would help me and also help someone wanting to go away on holiday.”