The investigation into the deaths of a Scots mum and her husband in the south of France has stalled and changed hands, according to reports.
The bodies of Andrew and Dawn Searle were discovered at their home near the village of Villefranche-de-Rouergue on February 6. A neighbour investigated after they failed to show up for their regular morning dog walk, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
On Tuesday, the local prosecutor revealed Mrs Searle, 56, was found outdoors, partially undressed and with injuries to her skull caused “by means of a blunt and sharp object”.
There was no evidence of sexual assault and no murder weapon has been found.
Mr Searle, 62, was “hanged by a rope attached to a radiator” with no visible defensive injuries.
The prosecutor said the house appeared to have been “summarily searched”, although cash in the couple’s bedroom had not been taken and a box containing jewellery was next to Mrs Searle’s body.
Agence France-Presse reported that Rodez prosecutor’s office had relinquished the investigation in favour of the larger Montpellier criminal division.
A judicial investigation for “intentional homicide” was opened.
Dawn grew up in Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, and Andrew was originally from England. The couple lived in Musselburgh, East Lothian, before they moved to France and married in Villefranche-de-Rouergue in 2023.
The statement from the Rodez prosecutor’s office said: “Investigations are continuing in particular to determine whether the tragedy was the result of a domestic crime followed by suicide or was the result of the intervention of a third party.”
It also said an investigation had been opened “in flagrante delicto on the count of voluntary homicide” into the deaths. They both had adult children from previous relationships and were married in 2023.
Before retiring to the area around a decade ago, Mr Searle worked in the financial crimes division of Edinburgh-based Standard Life and later for Barclays. This has led to speculation that the motive for the killings may be connected to his job.
Another theory is that he murdered his wife before taking his own life.
There is some evidence that he had been having financial problems.
However, one expat who lives nearby siad they were “certain this is not a murder-suicide”. Saying: “Life was good – why would they kill themselves?”
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Dawn had booked a chimney sweep appointment forApril on the day before her murder.
The same day, Andrew was caught on CCTV at a tobacconist on the other side of the town buying a chocolate bar and a lottery ticket.