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British couple named after deaths at French home British couple named after deaths at French home
(about 2 hours later)
Andrew and Dawn Searle had moved to France from Scotland several years ago Andrew and Dawn Searle had moved to France from Scotland about 10 years ago
A British couple have been found dead in their home in south west France.A British couple have been found dead in their home in south west France.
Andrew and Dawn Searle, who moved to France from Scotland several years ago, were found dead by their neighbour. Andrew and Dawn Searle, who moved to France from Scotland about 10 years ago, were discovered by their neighbour on Thursday.
The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, told French television, external that the deaths were "clearly a homicide".The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, told French television, external that the deaths were "clearly a homicide".
The couple are understood to have lived in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, for several years. The couple lived in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès in a rural area north of Toulouse.
According to his LinkedIn page, Mr Searle had worked in financial crime prevention at companies including Standard Life and Barclays Bank during his career.
Forensics officers spent Thursday searching the scene of the crime
Mr Searle is originally from England and Mrs Searle grew up in Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders.
The couple - who were in their 60s - lived in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh, before they moved to Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
Their bodies were found at about 12:20 on Thursday after a neighbour went to check on them at their detatched house when they failed to turn up as planned for a dog walk.
Mr Orcibal told BBC News the cause of the death was still unclear but it was not a "family tragedy", meaning they didn't take their own lives or kill each other.Mr Orcibal told BBC News the cause of the death was still unclear but it was not a "family tragedy", meaning they didn't take their own lives or kill each other.
He had earlier dismissed speculation the deaths were due to a burglary "gone wrong", and said "no knife was found".He had earlier dismissed speculation the deaths were due to a burglary "gone wrong", and said "no knife was found".
Forensics officers spent Thursday searching the scene of the crime
The couple's bodies were found by the neighbour at around 12.20, after they did not arrive to walk their dogs together as they had planned.
The BBC understands that when the neighbour went to check on them at their house she found the bodies.
Mr Orcibal said the couple - in their 60s - had become "very well integrated" in the village and that they used to regularly invite neighbours for a drink.
The mayor added he had the pleasure to marry them during summer 2023, and Mr Searle had worn a kilt for the wedding.
Mr Searle is understood to have worked in financial crime prevention at Standard Life and Barclays banks during his career.
The bodies were discovered early on Thursday afternoonThe bodies were discovered early on Thursday afternoon
A helicopter, a drone, criminal investigation technicians and a forensic doctor were all seen at the home throughout Thursday. Mr Orcibal also said the couple had become "very well integrated" in the village and used to regularly invite neighbours for a drink.
The Rodez prosecutor, Nicolas Rigot-Muller, in charge of the investigation, has still not commented on the case. The mayor added that Mr and Mrs Searle had got married in the summer of 2023, and that Mr Searle had worn a kilt for the wedding.
A helicopter, a drone, criminal investigation technicians and a forensic doctor have been seen at the home.
The Rodez prosecutor, Nicolas Rigot-Muller, who is in charge of the investigation, has still not commented on the case.
Les Pesquiès has around 100 residents and the area is popular with expats.Les Pesquiès has around 100 residents and the area is popular with expats.
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". 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."