Friends believe Dawn and Andrew Searle were murdered in France. Andrew’s work fighting financial crime is a possible motive.
The Searles married a year and a half ago and friends say they seemed happy and comfortable. They do not believe the pair killed themselves and last saw the couple at Christmas.
A neighbor found Dawn, seemingly beaten, while Andrew was found hanged. Friends said they had a good life there, traveling often for fun.
Dawn visited her son Callum after his baby was born and attended her dad’s recent funeral in Scotland. Dawn still worked as a project manager, and Andrew did freelance work too.
They rented out a gite to travelers, giving them extra income. Dawn’s son, Callum, is a former Hollyoaks actor who walked her down the aisle at their wedding.
CCTV showed Andrew running errands the day before they died. Two neighbors overheard Andrew in an upset phone call while talking to his father, and he looked worried.
Former colleagues shared tributes for Andrew, and one coworker called the news tragic. His father said they have many unanswered questions, while Callum Kerr asked for privacy.
The prosecutor called their deaths violent and they are considering murder-suicide. Investigators found no weapons at the scene, and initial exams found no such wounds, either.
Autopsies are scheduled to take place as their house remains under search. Andrew moved his family to France ten years ago after consulting for Barclays before retirement.
He worked at Standard Life for over twenty years and was a financial crime manager. The Foreign Office assists the family and they talk with French authorities.