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

[Cedars]

Wife’s affair a betrayal, says husband of Dordogne murder victim

Alan Carter said that the investigation into the stabbing of his wife Karen ‘confirmed a relationship I did not want to believe’ and which she had denied

www.thetimes.com

This article is also quoting the husband stating how, upon his last visit in 2024, he felt excluded from her circle of friends that she built with people around the village cafe.

I'm confused, the teaser in that Times article says how Karen denied the affair to her husband, who "didn't want to believe it"....

So...how did the husband in South Africa even learn about it, so that he could, apparently, accuse his wife, who then denied it...?

 

[slowpoke]

from the above article:


Reports that she had been seeking a divorce or buying her own property that have filled a gap in official updates were hurtful and hyped, a close family friend said. The couple had been looking for a small cottage to buy in Trémolat to use when their holiday lets were booked. They were attempting to settle on how best to divide their time between two countries, the friend said.

BBM

Follow the money indeed...

So it says “the couple had been looking” for a small cottage, which reads to me as the house was meant for Karen and her husband.

Whereas, the friend BN said: “[the husband] was also aware that Karen was buying this new home for herself.” (Dailymail LINK)

Seems like contradictory information.

The Times article also partially answered the question where we wondered about the dog’s presence and behavior during the attack. It said how “[J-F G] is now caring for Karen’s dog, which was in the back of her car at the time of the attack.” (bbm) (LINK)

So, Karen must have just arrived at her home, parked, got out, and before she even was able to get her dog out of the back, she was attacked, it sounds like?

 

[indicolite22]

I'm confused, the teaser in that Times article says how Karen denied the affair to her husband, who "didn't want to believe it"....

So...how did the husband in South Africa even learn about it, so that he could, apparently, accuse his wife, who then denied it...?

He explained it - he learned that she was getting close to J-F and apparently asked her about it, but she assured him they were just friends. Perhaps rumors got to the husband or this happened before the affair started and she was telling the truth. The husband also stated that he and Karen spoke daily. Maybe she mentioned J-F a lot. When he last visited her, he felt excluded.

 

[*LD*]

Have the police spoken with the husband's cousin who lives nearby. . . . . . ??

 

[Officer Dibble]

Hello everyone, some observations:-

Firstly, it's tragic that Karen appeared to have found a happy place in life in her later years only to have her life violently taken away from her by a cowardly, selfish individual.

Secondly, the husband immediate and constant updates to the British press raise red flags to me. His initial eulogy was fine, but his recent comments about his wife 'tarnishing her reputation' are unnecessary, callous and spiteful considering she has no right of reply.

They were clearly leading separate lives and reports suggest Karen was seeking a divorce but his media comments make him sound controlling and unwilling to allow her to move on with her life without him.

If they weren't currently living in different countries, he would be high on the list of suspects due to motive (jealousy/control)

The husband also said he spoke to her daily on the phone (he said he spoke to her on the Tuesday of the wine tasting), so would likely know her plans for the day/evening and when she would likely be at home.

He said that he also considered JF a friend, so maybe he had other 'friends' in the village who he communicated with and could have confided in them about how he was frustrated with his wife 'tarnishing her reputation' and he could have encouraged them to take action on his behalf ?

I do think the motive is connected to the new love interest as it's unlikely to be robbery (why not just break into the house while people are away?)
and unlikely to be connected to her rental business which has been going for 15 years without any prior issues.
No, the only recent change in Karen's life is the new 'relationship'with JF.

The 69 year old woman who was arrested has an alibi and the ferocity of the attack wouldn't generally indicate an older woman was responsible, bearing in mind Karen was reportedly quite strong and fit.
The only thing I found strange about that was the woman's brother telling the media that she was 'in love' with JF and 'everyone knew it'. Kind of a weird thing for a brother to say, maybe she was so distraught and upset about Karen/JF that he or one of her male friends committed the brutal attack out of revenge on her behalf (also cowardly attacking Karen instead of JF).

Another thing, the window of opportunity to commit the crime and flee the scene is very short, reportedly only 10 mins from Karen arriving home and JF arriving on the scene. Again, someone needed to have known her movements in advance.

Was the assailant on foot (maybe lived nearby) or in a car?
No mention is made of a car fleeing the scene by JF, this person is very lucky they weren't seen by JF.

Or, my final option...was it JF?
Did he turn up hoping to spend the night with Karen and she rejected him and he flew into a rage?
Maybe Karen did just view her relationship with him as just friends even though he wanted something more?
Only trouble with this is the murder weapon, why would he have it with him and how was it disposed of ?

Apologies for the ramble, just throwing out some thoughts and theories !!

I was wondering the same thing, if she wasn't as keen on the relationship after all, perhaps? JMO MOO

 

[slowpoke]

And this one, from the same article:


Guerrier found Karen’s body after she had driven home from a wine-tasting he had hosted.He told police he had gone to her barn after she had failed to phone to confirm her safe arrival. Autefort, a retired carer, was arrested and held for 48 hours, but ruled out of suspicion after accounting for her movements at the time of the attack, at about 9.30pm on Tuesday, April 29.


BBM

So KC did not leave around 10 o'clock, but probably already shortly after 09.15 pm.

Oh! I just realized we have the date wrong on the thread title, don’t we? As ZaZara bolded from this article, it was Tuesday, April 29, not Wednesday, April 30.

 

[slowpoke]

There's a map of some key locations in this article:

Karen Carter’s killing stirs fear and gossip in the Dordogne

Betrayal and buried secrets are emerging in the sleepy French village of Trémolat after the death, which police have linked to ‘a grudge’

www.thetimes.com

It looks like it's about 4-5km from J-F's to Karen's home.

I thought I’d bring the map graphic from the article you mentioned here:

 

[Charlot123]

He explained it - he learned that she was getting close to J-F and apparently asked her about it, but she assured him they were just friends. Perhaps rumors got to the husband or this happened before the affair started and she was telling the truth. The husband also stated that he and Karen spoke daily. Maybe she mentioned J-F a lot. When he last visited her, he felt excluded.

She and her team visited South Africa. Perhaps this is when someone joked, or hinted at something? JMO.

 

[Charlot123]

Hmmm....

Considering all gossip swirling around
it might mean enormous amount of leads,
mainly of "romantic", cough, cough, nature.

One of he best advice is always to
"follow the money" IMO.

JMO

I agree. Who would not benefit from K’s murder in any way?

I think J-P would not.

This being said, all these people surely had some prior relationships or connections. Someone could, indeed, have been very jealous.

It is interesting to know if J-P himself was well off.

 

[slowpoke]

I agree. Who would not benefit from K’s murder in any way?

I think J-P would not.

This being said, all these people surely had some prior relationships or connections. Someone could, indeed, have been very jealous.

It is interesting to know if J-P himself was well off.

This article says J-F G is well-off, if it’s who you mean by “J-P”?

[J-F G], “a wealthy 74-year-old local businessman”…

Dordogne murder investigated as a grudge killing

French authorities believe a killer with a grudge may be behind the savage murder of a British woman in a French medieval village.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Skigh]

What did Karen's killer know? She confided in pal hours before death

Karen Carter, 65, was in the process of walking away from her 30-year marriage and starting a new life in the south-west France the night before she was murdered.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The night before she was murdered outside her Dordogne home, Karen Carter appeared to have much on her mind.

The mother of four was in the process of walking away from her 30-year marriage and starting a new life in this idyllic corner of south-west France. Plans were already in motion.

There was the sweet puppy she'd collected five days earlier, a new French bank account she'd set up and a one-bedroom cottage she was negotiating to buy and where she planned to live alone. That future, as we now know, is one the former teacher will tragically never get to live.

Who, then, might have wanted to hurt Karen, a woman described by locals this week as 'classy and charismatic', 'friendly' and 'great fun to be with'.

Was she killed by a jealous love rival? Or, as some are speculating, was her death 'un meurtre commandité' – a contract killing?

This week the Mail spoke to those closest to the case including Karen's best friend as well as the brother of a local woman, Marie-Laure Autefort, who was said to hold feelings for Guerrier and was briefly interviewed by police before being released.

Police have spoken of the 'exceptional violence' used to kill Karen and a British woman who lives nearby told me: 'What is very obvious from her injuries is that whoever did this knew how to kill

 

[Charlot123]

So it says “the couple had been looking” for a small cottage, which reads to me as the house was meant for Karen and her husband.

Whereas, the friend BN said: “[the husband] was also aware that Karen was buying this new home for herself.” (Dailymail LINK)

Seems like contradictory information.

The Times article also partially answered the question where we wondered about the dog’s presence and behavior during the attack. It said how “[J-F G] is now caring for Karen’s dog, which was in the back of her car at the time of the attack.” (bbm) (LINK)

So, Karen must have just arrived at her home, parked, got out, and before she even was able to get her dog out of the back, she was attacked, it sounds like?

Surely, the information is contradictory. It is even to be expected, IMHO, if Karen was in the contemplation phase of breaking her marriage. Ambivalence, weighing pros and cons, is typical for the phase, so what Karen said to different sides might have been different. To friends in Dordogne, who were aware of the relationship, she might have said that her husband was aware, to the husband, that G-P was just a friend (or maybe she even worded it differently, but Alan heard what he wanted to hear). What she said to J-P, we, essentially, don’t know but hopefully, he is honest with the police.

It is easier to understand if we, indeed, assume that it was a contemplation, slowly, but not too surely, moving towards the separation. Considering that half of Karen’s and Alan’s life together, fifteen years, were spent mostly in Tremolat, and it was a family with four grownup children. it doesn’t appear like a bad marriage was splitting. On the contrary, it seems like two good and loyal people were drifting apart, and it might have even started situationally, with COVID, so I can see very well how it could have been difficult for everyone.

There are women who, being responsible, independent and ultimately, very modern, try to maximally organize it for both spouses before they present them with the decision to separate. I wonder if Karen was of such type.

One more consideration - Karen might have had a confidante, but there are women who don’t open up fully to anyone known. They, however, might anonymously post in closed SM groups designed for venting, support and general advice. Such groups are considered safe due to anonymity. (Whether they truly are, remains to be seen. People can follow someone there, and certain anonymous posters can be figured out).

 

[Sarahlou]

What did Karen's killer know? She confided in pal hours before death

Karen Carter, 65, was in the process of walking away from her 30-year marriage and starting a new life in the south-west France the night before she was murdered.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The night before she was murdered outside her Dordogne home, Karen Carter appeared to have much on her mind.

The mother of four was in the process of walking away from her 30-year marriage and starting a new life in this idyllic corner of south-west France. Plans were already in motion.

There was the sweet puppy she'd collected five days earlier, a new French bank account she'd set up and a one-bedroom cottage she was negotiating to buy and where she planned to live alone. That future, as we now know, is one the former teacher will tragically never get to live.

Who, then, might have wanted to hurt Karen, a woman described by locals this week as 'classy and charismatic', 'friendly' and 'great fun to be with'.

Was she killed by a jealous love rival? Or, as some are speculating, was her death 'un meurtre commandité' – a contract killing?

This week the Mail spoke to those closest to the case including Karen's best friend as well as the brother of a local woman, Marie-Laure Autefort, who was said to hold feelings for Guerrier and was briefly interviewed by police before being released.

Police have spoken of the 'exceptional violence' used to kill Karen and a British woman who lives nearby told me: 'What is very obvious from her injuries is that whoever did this knew how to kill

Contract killing has been on my mind for a while. You know how they say the most dangerous time for a woman is when she leaves her partner..
Even though a contract seems unlikely in a way, I can't stop thinking that's what happened.

 

[indicolite22]

What did Karen's killer know? She confided in pal hours before death

Karen Carter, 65, was in the process of walking away from her 30-year marriage and starting a new life in the south-west France the night before she was murdered.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The night before she was murdered outside her Dordogne home, Karen Carter appeared to have much on her mind.

The mother of four was in the process of walking away from her 30-year marriage and starting a new life in this idyllic corner of south-west France. Plans were already in motion.

There was the sweet puppy she'd collected five days earlier, a new French bank account she'd set up and a one-bedroom cottage she was negotiating to buy and where she planned to live alone. That future, as we now know, is one the former teacher will tragically never get to live.

Who, then, might have wanted to hurt Karen, a woman described by locals this week as 'classy and charismatic', 'friendly' and 'great fun to be with'.

Was she killed by a jealous love rival? Or, as some are speculating, was her death 'un meurtre commandité' – a contract killing?

This week the Mail spoke to those closest to the case including Karen's best friend as well as the brother of a local woman, Marie-Laure Autefort, who was said to hold feelings for Guerrier and was briefly interviewed by police before being released.

Police have spoken of the 'exceptional violence' used to kill Karen and a British woman who lives nearby told me: 'What is very obvious from her injuries is that whoever did this knew how to kill

From the above article:

Monsieur Monribot said it was no secret his sister was in love with Guerrier and claimed that she was dazzled by the wealthy retired businessman.

'He took her to visit chateaux in the Loire and to fancy Paris restaurants. She didn't have much money and she fell for him. She definitely loved him. She'd have done anything for him. But his interest seemed to move on to Karen.'

It appears that there was a prior relationship. Interestingly the brother mentions a slit throat:

Adamant that his sister, a carer, could not have killed Karen even if she'd wanted to, Philippe Monribot told me: 'She's physically weak. She's even scared of the dark. Could someone like that slit a woman's throat? It's impossible. It had to be a man and I don't think it's random.'

Considering the alibis, this might have been done by someone not yet in the picture (IMO).

 

[indicolite22]

It is easier to understand if we, indeed, assume that it was a contemplation, slowly, but not too surely, moving towards the separation. Considering that half of Karen’s and Alan’s life together, fifteen years, were spent mostly in Tremolat, and it was a family with four grownup children. it doesn’t appear like a bad marriage was splitting. On the contrary, it seems like two good and loyal people were drifting apart, and it might have even started situationally, with COVID, so I can see very well how it could have been difficult for everyone.

SBM. According to one of the Times articles, posted earlier, the Carters were using their property as a holiday home. After Brexit, Karen had to live there for a longer period to get permanent residency. She stayed there during Covid and after that her involvement with the village activities intensified. She was part of the group who revived the village cafe and also volunteered there, along with J-F and M-L, the woman that was detained.

 

[bmacmillan1]

She and her team visited South Africa. Perhaps this is when someone joked, or hinted at something? JMO.

I'm wondering if LE interviewed the whole team - it's said that Karen was fit and strong which she had to have been to play football at her age but then all the team would be equally as strong - could her killer bizarrely be one of them?
But then what could be their motive.

 

[whitelilac]

Contract killing has been on my mind for a while. You know how they say the most dangerous time for a woman is when she leaves her partner..
Even though a contract seems unlikely in a way, I can't stop thinking that's what happened.

Thinking about a contract killing, as in a hired hit man?

I would think such a person would have a gun....fast, immediately lethal, and he doesn't have to touch her, no chance of leaving DNA. Quick and impersonal. Seems to me, there was rage involved in killing this poor woman, it was personal.
Possible a hit man didn't have a gun, used a knife...but she was stabbed in various parts of her body. I think a killer, if experienced and stealthy, would kill her with one lethal stab.

Then again, someone could have been paid to kill her, and it was the person's first time, hence messy.

(thinking aloud....I have no clue really)

I just hope whoever did this is caught to face justice.

 

[Sarahlou]

Thinking about a contract killing, as in a hired hit man?

I would think such a person would have a gun....fast, immediately lethal, and he doesn't have to touch her, no chance of leaving DNA. Quick and impersonal. Seems to me, there was rage involved in killing this poor woman, it was personal.
Possible a hit man didn't have a gun, used a knife...but she was stabbed in various parts of her body. I think a killer, if experienced and stealthy, would kill her with one lethal stab.

Then again, someone could have been paid to kill her, and it was the person's first time, hence messy.

(thinking aloud....I have no clue really)

I just hope whoever did this is caught to face justice.

You'd think a hitman would do it in a less messy way, but look at this old case for example.. As you said, just because someone is paid it doesn't necessarily mean they are a pro.

Allen Morgan jailed for hiring hitman to kill wife Carol

The judge says Allen Morgan, 74, is a "wicked person" as he issues a life sentence.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Charlot123]

This article says J-F G is well-off, if it’s who you mean by “J-P”?

[J-F G], “a wealthy 74-year-old local businessman”…

Dordogne murder investigated as a grudge killing

French authorities believe a killer with a grudge may be behind the savage murder of a British woman in a French medieval village.

www.yahoo.com

Sorry, J-F. My mistake. J-F G.

 

[Charlot123]

For J-F, absolutely no profit nor sense IMHO.

M-L has an alibi. We shall see how firm it is. She did have the reason and the means, and…some very calm people can occasionally get impulsive (consider that she lived close to KC), but let us put it on the back burner.

Mr. J-F G, a well-off widower, could have had other previous companions. It is possible that someone took their prior relationship too seriously.

As I have mentioned, someone could have harbored unrequited feelings towards KC, maybe felt “rejected” or “unworthy” when she started a relationship with J-F, who knows?

AC has the reason but I don’t want to think it is him. He looks “civilized”. Granted, quiet, calm people might get horrible when angry specifically because it is an unusual feeling for them and they don’t know how to handle it. Still, he is not a poi to me as of today. Can’t imagine him hiring an assassin, either. He probably was in denial about many things for a long time, though.

Lastly, I can never write off the possibility of someone madly recreating the plot of Chabrol’s film in the same village. I assume that every country has its share of sickos.

ETA. It does looks like a butcher’s job. Exsanguination. A butcher, a vet, someone in the medical field, maybe an ex-military man…what do you think?