British couple, Andrew and Dawn Searle, found deceased in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue 6th February 2025

[dotr]

re-post, snippets fwiw..

The Waikato Times

www.waikatotimes.co.nz

February 9, 2025
''However, British friends of the couple, living in the nearby town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, where they married in 2023, insisted that their relationship was harmonious and they were financially secure.''

''The pair regularly rented out part of their home to holidaymakers and Mr Searle is understood to have occasionally undertaken freelance work for bespoke clients.''

“There was never any suggestion whatsoever of financial or material difficulties – as local business people they always paid us on time.”

 

[detective.moon]

if it’s a murder-suicide (which seems likely with what we know) it seems extra cruel that he would stage her that way, partially undressed. would he have thought that that way it would look more like someone else had done it? did he have - despite them looking happy - have a grudge against her and the reasons for doing this weren’t solely financial? curious what others think about why he might “stage” his wife outside, partially undressed

 

[ekc]

re-post, snippets fwiw..

The Waikato Times

www.waikatotimes.co.nz

February 9, 2025
''However, British friends of the couple, living in the nearby town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, where they married in 2023, insisted that their relationship was harmonious and they were financially secure.''

''The pair regularly rented out part of their home to holidaymakers and Mr Searle is understood to have occasionally undertaken freelance work for bespoke clients.''

“There was never any suggestion whatsoever of financial or material difficulties – as local business people they always paid us on time.”

as of today in the daily mail uk they were having financial problems...this story is just getting thicker isnt it ...just a thought

 

[bmacmillan1]

Hmmmm

Post-mortem results reveal injuries of British couple found dead at home in France

The investigation continues into whether a third party was involved, or whether the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.

news.sky.com

Detectives say Dawn Searle, 56, was found at their property in Les Pesquies with "several" injuries to her head, while her husband, Andrew Searle, 62, was found hanged with no visible defensive injuries.

A statement from the office of public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said Ms Searle was found partially dressed with a major wound to her skull next to a box with jewellery inside.

But no object or weapon was found that could've caused the wounds, which an autopsy carried out in Montpellier on Monday found were caused by a blunt and sharp object. There were no signs of sexual assault.

The house appeared to have been quickly searched, while some cash was found in the couple's room.

The last paragraph makes me think of intruders or else it was set up to look like that.
Also, no weapon found, meaning if it was Andrew he had enough time to get rid of it before he hung himself.
So, I'm still not sure about murder suicide

 

[Sarahlou]

The last paragraph makes me think of intruders or else it was set up to look like that.
Also, no weapon found, meaning if it was Andrew he had enough time to get rid of it before he hung himself.
So, I'm still not sure about murder suicide

If this all happened in the night then he'd have plenty of time to go out without being seen and dispose of a weapon. JMO.

 

[Dotta]

The last paragraph makes me think of intruders or else it was set up to look like that.
Also, no weapon found, meaning if it was Andrew he had enough time to get rid of it before he hung himself.
So, I'm still not sure about murder suicide

Time of death of each of them is very important.
Who died first.

 

[heartandsoul]

Personally I feel AS could have set it up to look like it had been an attempted robbery, with the jewellery box, cash etc.

I was waiting for the PM results before commenting on this thread, but yeah, that's where my thoughts are going sadly.

 

[bmacmillan1]

Time of death of each of them is very important.
Who died first.

Yes, that will eleviate all doubt

 

[heartandsoul]

re-post, snippets fwiw..

The Waikato Times

www.waikatotimes.co.nz

February 9, 2025
''However, British friends of the couple, living in the nearby town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, where they married in 2023, insisted that their relationship was harmonious and they were financially secure.''

''The pair regularly rented out part of their home to holidaymakers and Mr Searle is understood to have occasionally undertaken freelance work for bespoke clients.''

“There was never any suggestion whatsoever of financial or material difficulties – as local business people they always paid us on time.”

As is so often the case. It is true that we rarely know the truth of someone's relationship and/or financial situation. Both are often sensitive matters that people would rather keep private.

Their friends saying that they were not aware of hardships definitely doesn't mean there weren't any.

 

[dotr]

Wondering if DS had particularly expensive engagement/wedding rings?

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Time of death of each of them is very important.
Who died first.

I’d like to think the PM could be so precise, but unless there’s an Agatha Christie “smashed watch face” scenario I don’t think that will happen. (And even then, it was always a red herring!)

If there were hours between, that would obviously be helpful.

 

[VioletLilac]

if it’s a murder-suicide (which seems likely with what we know) it seems extra cruel that he would stage her that way, partially undressed. would he have thought that that way it would look more like someone else had done it? did he have - despite them looking happy - have a grudge against her and the reasons for doing this weren’t solely financial? curious what others think about why he might “stage” his wife outside, partially undressed

I thought she might have been trying to escape but then succumbed to her injuries.

 

[VioletLilac]

Interesting that at the end of this article they have this:
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

Personally I feel AS could have set it up to look like it had been an attempted robbery, with the jewellery box, cash etc.

Yes I think that's possible

 

[ShastaDaisy]

I thought she might have been trying to escape but then succumbed to her injuries.

I also think she was running from whoever it was, they caught her unaware and 1/2 dressed. I wonder if she was trying to escape with her jewelry (which would seem odd) or if the scene was staged after her death.

 

[VioletLilac]

I also think she was running from whoever it was, they caught her unaware and 1/2 dressed. I wonder if she was trying to escape with her jewelry (which would seem odd) or if the scene was staged after her death.

I'm thinking the jewellery was to make it look like a robbery.

 

[Cardgame]

I’d like to think the PM could be so precise, but unless there’s an Agatha Christie “smashed watch face” scenario I don’t think that will happen. (And even then, it was always a red herring!)

If there were hours between, that would obviously be helpful.

Apple watches can provide this, or those rings that connect to your heart rate. I believe?
LE said their phones were providing key information, lets hope it includes as much info as possible.

 

[BrianJohnson]

I think he may have got on the wrong side of Russian gangsters/oligarchs

Murder by hanging at gunpoint is very common way Russians off their enemies, probably 2nd behind falls from windows

My feeling is he was forced to hang himself, his wife who was asleep came downstairs when she heard voices, she is then beaten to death by being battered repeatedly with the gun, the gangsters then place items to make it look like a robbery

 

[ShastaDaisy]

I think he may have got on the wrong side of Russian gangsters/oligarchs

Murder by hanging at gunpoint is very common way Russians off their enemies, probably 2nd behind falls from windows

My feeling is he was forced to hang himself, his wife who was asleep came downstairs when she heard voices, she is then beaten to death by being battered repeatedly with the gun, the gangsters then place items to make it look like a robbery

This is my take as well...

100% my opinion

 

[bringmeacupoft]

I think he may have got on the wrong side of Russian gangsters/oligarchs

Murder by hanging at gunpoint is very common way Russians off their enemies, probably 2nd behind falls from windows

My feeling is he was forced to hang himself, his wife who was asleep came downstairs when she heard voices, she is then beaten to death by being battered repeatedly with the gun, the gangsters then place items to make it look like a robbery

In what capacity do you think he got involved?

 

[Dotta]

I think he may have got on the wrong side of Russian gangsters/oligarchs

Murder by hanging at gunpoint is very common way Russians off their enemies, probably 2nd behind falls from windows

My feeling is he was forced to hang himself, his wife who was asleep came downstairs when she heard voices, she is then beaten to death by being battered repeatedly with the gun, the gangsters then place items to make it look like a robbery

If true
then...ummm...

Looking for perps would be like
looking for "a wind blowing in the field"...