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British couple named after deaths at French home British couple named after deaths at French home
(32 minutes later)
Andrew and Dawn Searle had moved to France from Scotland about 10 years agoAndrew 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 about 10 years ago, were discovered by their neighbour on Thursday.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 lived in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès in a rural area north of Toulouse.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.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.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. Forensics officers spent Thursday searching the scene of the crime
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. According to his LinkedIn page, Mr Searle had worked in financial crime prevention at companies including Standard Life and Barclays Bank during his career.
He had earlier dismissed speculation the deaths were due to a burglary "gone wrong", and said "no knife was found". The couple's 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. He had earlier dismissed speculation the deaths were due to a burglary "gone wrong", and said "no knife was found".
The area around the house has been sealed off and local police have called in expert help from the city of Toulouse.
At the moment no criminal case has been opened, and police say there is no preferred theory about how the couple died.
The bodies were discovered early on Thursday afternoonThe bodies were discovered early on Thursday afternoon
Mr Orcibal also said the couple had become "very well integrated" in the village and used to regularly invite neighbours for a drink.Mr Orcibal also said the couple had become "very well integrated" in the village and used to regularly invite neighbours for a drink.
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.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.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.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."