France - Karen Carter, 65, stabbed to death, Dordogne, 29 April 2025

[Skigh]

Brit expat seen dancing with French lover months before tragic death

The carefree moment was recorded in December outside Café Village, a bar where Mrs Carter and Mr Guerrier worked closely together in the hamlet of Tremolat in Dordogne

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[slowpoke]

"They worked together closely at the Cafe Village.
Jean-Francois was up until a month ago the chairman of the village committee
that was based at the cafe.”

Brit mum, 65, stabbed to death in France was 'planning to divorce husband'

A BRIT mum who was brutally murdered in a French village had begun a new relationship and was planning to divorce her husband, a friend claimed. Karen Carter, 65, died from severe blood loss after …

www.thesun.co.uk

^snipped

Who, I wonder, is the new chairperson? What was the reason for him not holding the position anymore? Just wondering if that could hold any relevance.

Regarding the alleged affair between Karen and Jean-Francois, maybe Karen really did just view it as a friendship, at least from her end, at that point, anyway.

Her husband has said she was an extrovert and she loved people, and loved to have fun. I don’t know, of course, how she behaved, but say she was flirty in her interactions. Maybe she saw it as it’s just a playful interaction, a boost to her ego—having fun. JMO

 

[indicolite22]

^snipped

Who, I wonder, is the new chairperson? What was the reason for him not holding the position anymore? Just wondering if that could hold any relevance.

Regarding the alleged affair between Karen and Jean-Francois, maybe Karen really did just view it as a friendship, at least from her end, at that point, anyway.

Her husband has said she was an extrovert and she loved people, and loved to have fun. I don’t know, of course, how she behaved, but say she was flirty in her interactions. Maybe she saw it as it’s just a playful interaction, a boost to her ego—having fun. JMO

I think a man Jean-Francois' age would know the difference between friendship and a romantic relationship. IMO the police would have not revealed it if he denied it. Karen's neighbor saw them together at her house last Friday afternoon. They looked like a couple to him.

 

[indicolite22]

Since Karen's husband spoke to her on the phone in the morning on the day she was murdered, did he know of her evening plans? If they talked regularly they must not have been completely estranged.

 

[Charlot123]

You may of course be right but I myself cannot believe that running a gite business would alone incite someone to commit murder. There are thousands of gites all over France (stayed in some myself actually) and I haven’t heard of any other owners being murdered. Yes it’s a business, but essentially generally gites are a cottage in the owner’s grounds. The owner basically manages bookings, and makes sure they are clean, bedding is changed. It’s hard work unless you buy in help to clean etc. and a lot of owners do it out of financial necessity.

With reference to the husband, it’s not clear if he was visiting South Africa or living there more longer term but either way it suggests to me they may have been living separate lives which would explain some of the anomalies people are mentioning - e.g. him not being notified by authorities, allegedly.

My feeling is this crime is much closer to Karen’s immediate circle of acquaintances. The injuries suggest rage, which is usually personal. I think it’s a lot more personal than someone envying a business owner, or having antipathy towards an expat, or a woman. Know the victim, know the killer. Unfortunately it’s inevitable that laundry is going to be aired by the media.

Re the age of the perpetrator, many people in their 60s and 70s are strong and the element of surprise for the first blow would be potentially catastrophic, so I don’t rule anyone out for that reason.

In such a small community, I believe we will know more very soon.

All JMO.

A love triangle, perhaps?

 

[ch_13]

Regarding the alleged affair between Karen and Jean-Francois, maybe Karen really did just view it as a friendship, at least from her end, at that point, anyway.

RSBM.

Jean-Francois found her when he arrived at her home at 10 pm at night. I would imagine that it was more than just a 'friendship'.

 

[Charlot123]

It looks like the crime triggered by jealousy, no?

The victim had just come home from a meeting with a male friend
before being attacked.

Was the murderer lurking near her house waiting for her return?

JMO

You know, somewhere else I commented that I might believe in women murderers (serial killers, even) if the motive is financial or jealousy. Women are extremely territorial. Probably Karen’s new friend was a popular man, or someone had high hopes of his friendship before Karen appeared? The viciousness indicates hatred. Well, on the photos Karen looks happy and vibrant. At least she must have enjoyed life before it all happened. I think it is someone local, who had the times and the means. For some reason, I don’t suspect her husband. It will probably be a crime of passion.

 

[Dotta]

RSBM.

Jean-Francois found her when he arrived at her home at 10 pm at night. I would imagine that it was more than just a 'friendship'.

Mind you,
The victim was driving a car after drinking wine at the cafe.
It was reported
JF was heard telling her to call when she was safely home.

She didn't.
So,
he decided to check on her
as any friend would do.

Re the "Romance of the Year"

IMO

The French are effusive –
they very often kiss on both cheeks when greeting and saying goodbye
(like in my country too hehe)
The French are very sociable, they have lots of friends.
Frenchmen are charming,
they love to compliment women and are exceptionally gallant.
Flirting is somehow traditional there "Vive la France!”

But, really, it does not mean anything serious.
That's just French charm & style.

JMO

 

[SiSi]

Quoting:

"Another close friend of Ms Carter said:
'She didn't have any enemies, as far as I'm aware'."

Well,
apparently, she did.

And this caught my attention:

"She seemed to be someone fully in control of her life,
a strong businesswoman
who had an air of authority about her."

It seems
somebody had gigantic problem/grudge against the victim
probably brewing for a long time IMO.

And not necessarily connected to any "relationship".

Of course,
it is only hypothesis.

JMO

The "green-eyed monster" . . .

 

[whitelilac]

Have I missed something? I see "arrest" in the title.

 

[Sjöberg]

I know people do sometimes let others know if they got home OK after a night out, but her new partner seemed extremely concerned to rush straight around to her house. Especially when you think of how safe the village was said to be.

When worded like this it does sound odd. However, I personally think they could have just been messaging on some app and she just dissappeared mid-conversation. If they were at that moment still both at the same small village and they were close, I can see how someone might just walk down the street for a check. Especially if they're emotionally invested.
But maybe that does hint there were some concerns, one way or the other.

 

[indicolite22]

When worded like this it does sound odd. However, I personally think they could have just been messaging on some app and she just dissappeared mid-conversation. If they were at that moment still both at the same small village and they were close, I can see how someone might just walk down the street for a check. Especially if they're emotionally invested.
But maybe that does hint there were some concerns, one way or the other.

She drove home by car, so she was probably not texting during the drive. Reportedly she was attacked when taking her dog out of the car in her driveway. As I said before, maybe they had a date scheduled at her place. If that case, the new boyfriend could have run into the perpetrator if he arrived a few minutes earlier.

 

[indicolite22]

Have I missed something? I see "arrest" in the title.

So far, two people have been detained and later released.

 

[Skigh]

Have I missed something? I see "arrest" in the title.

I think the arrest refers to the 69 year old woman who was arrested and then released. The arrest was part of the headline when the news was first reported in the media.

 

[Dotta]

Oh
the sweet puppy Karen had with her.

Quote from my previous post (#70):

"Upon returning
Karen was reportedly stabbed through the heart
as she retrieved her dog -
a white Griffon puppy - from her car."

Hope the pooch is being taken care of well.


Picture from this link

Access Restricted

Link with a dog quote

Brit mum, 65, stabbed to death in France was 'planning to divorce husband'

A BRIT mum who was brutally murdered in a French village had begun a new relationship and was planning to divorce her husband, a friend claimed. Karen Carter, 65, died from severe blood loss after …

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[dalsglen]

From a photo of the house linked in this Article this appears to where she lives

Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

Appears to be quite a bit outside of the actual village proper. 1.9km drive to the cafe.

 

[Dotta]

Well,
I'm quite pessimistic about finding the weapon
considering the vast area of greenery, shrubbery and trees.
The knife could be anywhere, a needle in the haystack.

Also,
I don't remember reading that a murder weapon was found in Dawn Kerr/Searle case either

I'm not sure the murderer will be caught.
2 people were released without charge.

And nothing is heard about others.

I wonder what evidence was found at the crime scene.
Did the murderer leave any traces?
No talk about cctv, unfortunately.

JMO

 

[Sarahlou]

Well,
I'm quite pessimistic about finding the weapon
considering the vast area of greenery, shrubbery and trees.
The knife could be anywhere, a needle in the haystack.

Also,
I don't remember reading that a murder weapon was found in Dawn Kerr/Searle case either

I'm not sure the murderer will be caught.
2 obvious suspects (for Police) were released without charge.

And nothing is heard about others.

I wonder what evidence was found at the crime scene.
Did the murderer leave any traces?
No talk about cctv, unfortunately.

JMO

I'd genuinely be surprised if this doesn't ever get solved. It might take quite a while but at the moment I'm pretty confident the person won't get away with it.

 

[Dotta]

I'd genuinely be surprised if this doesn't ever get solved. It might take quite a while but at the moment I'm pretty confident the person won't get away with it.

I like your post.
I will gladly eat a hat if I'm wrong.
(Ummm....I must bake a cake in a hat shape)

 

[slowpoke]

View attachment 583848

Oh
the sweet puppy Karen had with her.

Quote from my previous post (#70):

"Upon returning
Karen was reportedly stabbed through the heart
as she retrieved her dog -
a white Griffon puppy - from her car."

Hope the pooch is being taken care of well.


Picture from this link

Access Restricted

Link with a dog quote

Brit mum, 65, stabbed to death in France was 'planning to divorce husband'

A BRIT mum who was brutally murdered in a French village had begun a new relationship and was planning to divorce her husband, a friend claimed. Karen Carter, 65, died from severe blood loss after …

www.thesun.co.uk

What an adorable dog. The poor dog must be traumatized, having been witness to a ‘frenzied attack’ on its human.

Knowing the dog was there, it feels odd we have not heard of neighbors saying the dog was barking, nor of hearing Karen screaming or yelling out. A silent kill?!