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, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, 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, remain unclear.
The investigation is ongoing, particularly to determine whether the tragedy resulted from a domestic crime followed by suicide or involved a third party.
Ms Searle, who was partially undressed, was discovered with a “severe head wound” in front of the couple’s home at about 12:27 on 6 February. A box containing jewellery was found nearby but “no object or weapon capable of causing the injuries was found”.
Firefighters who responded to the alert then discovered Mr Searle – who had “no visible defensive wounds” – at the back of the house and notified police.
The statement said the the property “appeared to have been searched superficially” and cash was found in the couple’s bedroom.
Further toxicological tests are under way as part of the investigation, which is being led by Toulouse Police.
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