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

[ch_13]

Which brings up a point. The dog is the witness. I can’t shed the feeling that she should somehow react to the killer. The fact that MLA disappeared so rapidly is raising many questions. Anyhow, I hope that the police finds the way to check the dog’s reaction to the people around her.

rsbm.

I think I remember seeing an old Columbo tv show where the dog fingered (pawed?) the murderer.

But, outside of detective fiction, has it ever happened in real life? No offense to dog lovers, but I don't see how this could be in any way useful. The dog could be reacting to any number of things...it may be sensing the accused's fear; or it just may not like the way a person smells; or maybe they had some past negative interaction unrelated to the murder.

I would imagine any attempt to use a dog to identify the perpetrator would get laughed out of court and perhaps even taint a future prosecution.

 

[Skigh]

Cafe that may hold key to murder of British woman in France reopens

Karen Carter, 65 and a married mother of four, was found dead outside her home in Trémolat, east of Bordeaux, following a night out with friends on April 29th.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Despite the enquiry into Ms Carter's death being upgraded to a full-blown murder enquiry earlier this month, there is a still no sign of the killer – or the murder weapon used.

This has led prosecutors to believe that it was a meticulously planned crime, carried out by someone who knew Ms Carter.

He or she lay in wait, they believe, and took care to avoid leaving forensic evidence, before using 'unspeakable violence' against the defenceless Ms Carter, according an investigating source.

'It certainly could have been someone who knew the victim from the Café Village, or a contract killer acting on their behalf,' the source added.



Frustrated with the lack of progress, prosecutors announced in early May that a 'judicial investigation into murder' was being opened.

This meant that an instructing judge in Périgueux had stronger powers to interview people, to request documents, and to liaise with overseas authorities.

 

[Charlot123]

I remember a post of the French poster in this thread
who wanted to install a ring camera but was forbidden by Police.

I recall this post well
as she wrote she decided to buy dogs to feel safe.

Oh,
I even remember the race of dogs

MALINOIS!!!!!!
Woof Woof

JMO

I found it
Post #195

It is obvious that a ring camera might have wide angle to record what is happening in vicinity.

It is, after all its PURPOSE.

I might have missed the breed, but Karen’s dog looks like a griffon mix, there are sniffons or something like it. I read about them. They seem to be emotionally attracted to owners.

 

[Dotta]

I might have missed the breed, but Karen’s dog looks like a griffon mix, there are sniffons or something like it. I read about them. They seem to be emotionally attracted to owners.

Sure.

But I was talking about other dogS - plural hehe
OP needs to read my post carefully
No worries!!!

 

[Dotta]

"Frustrated with the lack of progress,
prosecutors announced in early May that
a 'judicial investigation into murder' was being opened'."

This doesn't sound reassuring I'm afraid.



No murder weapon found.
No suspect/s arrested.
No POIs mentioned.

JMO

"The Cafe Village where she once worked has now reopened, a month after Ms Carter's death."

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[indicolite22]

From the description of Karen's injuries (automatic translation, BBM):

Eight injuries were noted by the forensic doctors, confirming the violence of the blows and "the intention to kill": two wounds to the right thorax affecting the aorta and the hemopericardium and the other affecting the liver, an abdominal wound crossing the right kidney and down to the lumbar spine, a wound to the right forearm crossing the limb from side to side.

Does this point to a right-handed perpetrator?

Meurtre d'une Britannique tuée par arme blanche : la voisine de 69 ans placée en garde à vue a été relâchée

L'enquête pour homicide volontaire se poursuit à Trémolat, en Dordogne, après le meurtre d'une Britannique de 65 ans, ce mardi 29 avril. Le rapport des médecins légistes relève huit blessures par arme blanche sur le corps...

france3-regions.franceinfo.fr

ETA - from research:

In 42.5% of cases, defence injuries were seen on the right side only, whereas in 27.5% of cases both sides were involved. Victim’s right forearm and hand were more commonly involved because these are nearest to the perpetrator and consistent with the preponderance of right-handed individuals in the population.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X11002447

ETA2: The above article relates to the handedness of the victim, not the murderer. Another article:

Of the defense wounds, 40.5 percent were on the right hand and forearm and 59.5 percent were on the left side.
Defense wounds seen on the left hand and forearm more frequently than on the right side suggested that assailants were right-handed and that victims responded with the closer hand or forearm.

Autopsy Evaluation of Defence Wounds in 195 Homicidal Deaths Due to Stabbing | Office of Justice Programs

www.ojp.gov

 

[Charlot123]

.

From the description of Karen's injuries (automatic translation, BBM):

Eight injuries were noted by the forensic doctors, confirming the violence of the blows and "the intention to kill": two wounds to the right thorax affecting the aorta and the hemopericardium and the other affecting the liver, an abdominal wound crossing the right kidney and down to the lumbar spine, a wound to the right forearm crossing the limb from side to side.

Does this point to a right-handed perpetrator?

Meurtre d'une Britannique tuée par arme blanche : la voisine de 69 ans placée en garde à vue a été relâchée

L'enquête pour homicide volontaire se poursuit à Trémolat, en Dordogne, après le meurtre d'une Britannique de 65 ans, ce mardi 29 avril. Le rapport des médecins légistes relève huit blessures par arme blanche sur le corps...

france3-regions.franceinfo.fr

ETA - from research:

In 42.5% of cases, defence injuries were seen on the right side only, whereas in 27.5% of cases both sides were involved. Victim’s right forearm and hand were more commonly involved because these are nearest to the perpetrator and consistent with the preponderance of right-handed individuals in the population.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1752928X11002447

ETA2: The above article relates to the handedness of the victim, not the murderer. Another article:

Of the defense wounds, 40.5 percent were on the right hand and forearm and 59.5 percent were on the left side.
Defense wounds seen on the left hand and forearm more frequently than on the right side suggested that assailants were right-handed and that victims responded with the closer hand or forearm.

Autopsy Evaluation of Defence Wounds in 195 Homicidal Deaths Due to Stabbing | Office of Justice Programs

www.ojp.gov

We don't know whether KC was facing her assailant, or not.

The forearm looks like a possible defence wound IMHO.

But if he is facing her and, say, Right-handed, she is the mirror image and most wonlds should be on her Left side or midline, i think.

Now, going through the right kidney and reaching the vertebral column means, entry wound probably to the right and at a sharp angle. Kidneys are retroperitoneally and not far from the vertebral column. I attached the photo. The person is lying belly up.

I can imagine, defensive wound on the forearm indicates that she was facing the assailant. Then the R kidney wound reaching the vertebral column means that the person is a "leftie". IMHO.

 

[acutename]

Rest in Peace to Karen Carter and my condolences to her friends and family. I hope they are all able to get the justice and the answers they and Karen deserve for this terrible loss and horrific crime.

Learning more about the preliminary autopsy and thinking that perhaps her attacker was right handed, and thus holding the murder weapon in their right hand, it seems IMO that the killer ambushed her at first from behind which led to the injuries to her spine, kidney, liver, and right arm and that perhaps as she turned around to defend herself she was further wounded in the chest, groin and legs areas of her body. (Or perhaps they were left handed and attached her from the front thus some of the strikes injuring the right side of her body that way). According to The Times, K.C.’s likely didn’t even have chance to get her dog from the backseat of her car which may indicate that the very little time passed between parking her car and just getting out before she was brutally stabbed to death by her assailant. It is also terrifying to think to think that her killer was lying in wait for her as late as 10 PM at night and had planned ahead perhaps to target her when she was alone, unsuspecting and they could use the coverage of the dark bushes around them or her yard to hide themselves. No one deserves to face such terror.

I also think that perhaps one thing that may make her killer stand out to authorities or potential witnesses is that maybe they have been wounded themselves in the attack as a result of their grip on their blade or knife becoming unstable as a result of both K.C. fighting for her life and blood covering the blade and causing their grip to slip. JMO

I think it is weird that she was with people all evening and her man friend came over afterward, so the killer definitely was waiting for the right moment. I wonder if the dog not reacting (?) meant it was some one she knew.

 

[ZaZara]

.

We don't know whether KC was facing her assailant, or not.

The forearm looks like a possible defence wound IMHO.

But if he is facing her and, say, Right-handed, she is the mirror image and most wonlds should be on her Left side or midline, i think.

Now, going through the right kidney and reaching the vertebral column means, entry wound probably to the right and at a sharp angle. Kidneys are retroperitoneally and not far from the vertebral column. I attached the photo. The person is lying belly up.

I can imagine, defensive wound on the forearm indicates that she was facing the assailant. Then the R kidney wound reaching the vertebral column means that the person is a "leftie". IMHO.

Karen played football. She would know how to kick with her feet and legs. And kick hard. If she was facing him.
Wasn't it suggested that she was attacked from behind while getting the dog out of the car?

 

[Charlot123]

Karen played football. She would know how to kick with her feet and legs. And kick hard. If she was facing him.
Wasn't it suggested that she was attacked from behind while getting the dog out of the car?

It said that she was attacked “when she was retrieving dog from the car”.Whether behind or from the front, I don’t know. Could be from behind, or she could have turned back. I assume that while it is easier to incapacitate from behind, a more close contact is needed and more fiber/DNA is left on the back. The belly wound being inflicted while standing behind is possible; the thoracic area and forearms, not that common. Easier to slash the neck, one would think? On the other hand, less blood stays on the assailant if he attacks from the back? JMO.

 

[Dotta]

It said that she was attacked “when she was retrieving dog from the car”. Whether behind or from the front, I don't know. Could be from behind, or she could have turned back. I assume that while it is easier to incapacitate from behind, a closer contact is needed and more fiber/DNA is left on the back. The belly wound being inflicted while standing behind is possible; the thoracic area and forearms, not that common. Easier to slash the neck, one would think? On the other hand, less blood stays on the assailant if he attacks from the back? JMO.

I always imagined that
the initial attack was from behind
(while the victim was reaching for a dog
and was oblivious to danger)
and then she turned and fought the attacker.

She seemed to be caught off guard.

JMO

 

[Charlot123]

I always imagined that
the initial attack was from behind
(while the victim was reaching for a dog
and was oblivious to danger)
and then she turned and fought the attacker.

She seemed to be caught off guard.

JMO

This is possible.

Too many thoracic structures were hurt. In the back, with the scapulae and the sturdier ribcage, it might be harder to penetrate that deeply, the knife would be sliding off the ribs. The front leaves the abdomen, the liver, the abdominal and thoracic aorta. The wounds have to be deep though. But we don’t know; one stab in the back could kill a person if done “professionally”, one thinks. You might be right in that some wounds were inflicted from the back or even the side, and some, from the front.

The knife had to be long, either way, IMHO.

 

[Dotta]

This is possible.

Too many thoracic structures were hurt. In the back, with the scapulae and the sturdier ribcage, it might be harder to penetrate that deeply, the knife would be sliding off the ribs. The front leaves the abdomen, the liver, the abdominal and thoracic aorta. The wounds have to be deep though. But we don’t know; one stab in the back could kill a person if done “professionally”, one thinks. You might be right in that some wounds were inflicted from the back or even the side, and some, from the front.

The knife had to be long, either way, IMHO.

I'm not an expert, mind you,
but
I imagine such devastating deep stabs
require enormous strength, no?

Through clothes, ribs.
Fighting with the victim.
Wielding a long knife

I somehow cannot imagine a 70 year old female pensioner committing such a crime.
Even without her alibi I would be sceptical

JMO

 

[Dotta]

"On April 29, Karen Carter, a 65-year-old British woman, was found murdered in front of her home.

The perpetrator has still not been found.

A month later, emotions are still running high at #Trémolat . #faitdivers #Dordogne."

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[indicolite22]

This is possible.

Too many thoracic structures were hurt. In the back, with the scapulae and the sturdier ribcage, it might be harder to penetrate that deeply, the knife would be sliding off the ribs. The front leaves the abdomen, the liver, the abdominal and thoracic aorta. The wounds have to be deep though. But we don’t know; one stab in the back could kill a person if done “professionally”, one thinks. You might be right in that some wounds were inflicted from the back or even the side, and some, from the front.

The knife had to be long, either way, IMHO.

No wounds were reported on the back. IMO she was first stabbed from the front. Maybe she was also stabbed while lying on the ground (e.g. on her back).

 

[Sarahlou]

No wounds were reported on the back. IMO she was first stabbed from the front. Maybe she was also stabbed while lying on the ground (e.g. on her back).

One report did include her spine in the injuries.

 

[indicolite22]

One report did include her spine in the injuries.

Yes, although perhaps back would be mentioned if the wound entry was in the back. Maybe spinal injury wasn't from the initial stab. The perp was likely aiming for vital organs first.

 

[indicolite22]

Apparently the mayor of Tremolat himself was at the wine tasting event, but he had to leave early.

"La suspicion est partout" : un mois après le meurtre de Karen, 65 ans, le coupable reste introuvable et la psychose s'installe

Un mois après le meurtre de la Britannique de 65 ans, le village de Trémolat, en Dordogne, où elle était installée depuis dix ans est encore très marqué par ce drame. Une psychose s'y est installée, alors qu'à ce jour, malgré...

france3-regions.franceinfo.fr

"Suspicion is everywhere. People monitor every move. They shut themselves away at home at night. Before, Trémolat was a place of calm and serenity. That's no longer the case," says the mayor of Trémolat for 30 years.

 

[indicolite22]

This article requires subscription:

Meurtre d’une sexagénaire à Trémolat : plus d’un mois après les faits, l’assassin court toujours

Karen Carter, une résidente d’origine britannique, a été assassinée de plusieurs coups de couteau, mardi 28 avril en rentrant chez elle. L’arme du crime n’a pas été retrouvée et les investigations se poursuivent

www.sudouest.fr

It is mentioned in the beginning that the villagers were asked through the panneaupocket app to search their waste bins, perhaps in the hope that the murder weapon would be found.

 

[Dotta]

I still don't exclude the theory of some vagabond with possible MH issues attacking her.
Total stranger.

Sure,
nothing was stolen, etc.
but...
her male friend coming suddenly in the car might have scared the attacker away,
interrupted him, disrupting/preventing further actions.

Who knows what the perp's motive was while attacking a lone woman in the dark?

We must remember that Karen was STILL alive when the ambulance arrived.

Anita Rose in the UK was attacked by a homeless stranger not far from home - her things were taken by a perp.

Anything is possible.

JMO