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

[FromGermany1]

Well,
Something was troubling her,
that's for sure.
And it ended in her death
The murderer was like possessed,
the injuries were horrific

bbm
Perhaps it just needed to be done quickly?

 

[indicolite22]

The new detail is that she got out of the car, closed the door and walked a few steps to her house.
She put her key in the lock, opened the house door and switched on the interior lights before going back outside to fetch her dog - she had just opened the rear passenger door and that when she was attacked.

I've paraphrased/edited to avoid copyright issues.

It has been mentioned in some of the earlier reports that the lights were on in the house and that she unlocked her door before being attacked. At the same time it was deemed odd that nothing was stolen.

She only had a dog for about a week. If this was a hit, the attacker had fresh information.

Karen is wearing makeup in the photo with the dog. It is strange that she wouldn't for an evening event with several people attending, including the mayor.

 

[Cedars]

The way I visualize it, the attacker had to stay well-hidden as the car drove in, so as not to be seen by headlights, and they needed to be somewhere they could silently approach.

So I expect perp took a little time getting close and confirming it was her. IMO was probably prepared to attack her in her doorway - she turned back but it was still just a matter of moments

JMO.

 

[Inthedetails]

The way I visualize it, the attacker had to stay well-hidden as the car drove in, so as not to be seen by headlights, and they needed to be somewhere they could silently approach.

So I expect perp took a little time getting close and confirming it was her. IMO was probably prepared to attack her in her doorway - she turned back but it was still just a matter of moments

JMO.

If he wanted to attack her in the doorway or push her inside the house, he still could've have after she retrieved her dog and went back inside.

I find it odd she went into the house first anyway. Why not bring the dog right away?

jmo

 

[FromGermany1]

If he wanted to attack her in the doorway or push her inside the house, he still could've have after she retrieved her dog and went back inside.

I find it odd she went into the house first anyway. Why not bring the dog right away?

jmo

Maybe the little dog still had to do its business outside, and Karen didn't want to stand in the dark with him? So she opened the door and switched on the light, before returning to the car and fetching the pet?

 

[Inthedetails]

Maybe the little dog still had to do its business outside, and Karen didn't want to stand in the dark with him? So she opened the door and switched on the light, before returning to the car and fetching the pet?

Which is odd because the attack would also be under the light.

jmo

 

[FromGermany1]

Which is odd because the attack would also be under the light.

jmo

She didn't know of an attack. I don't understand.

The murderer was a bit too slow in his actions, if he had preferred to murder in the dark.

 

[Cedars]

If he wanted to attack her in the doorway or push her inside the house, he still could've have after she retrieved her dog and went back inside.

I find it odd she went into the house first anyway. Why not bring the dog right away?

jmo

I really don't know, perhap just wanted hands free to open the door, didn't want the dog to run off in the dark.

Evidently, that's how it apparently happened so it made sense to them both.

 

[miss marble]

The more information released, the more it seems like a targeted hit.
All of the neighbours and friends in her circle have been ruled out via DNA testing and the idea of a random madman being the perpetrator doesn't fit with the remote location and what looks like a carefully planned act.

So, if it's a hitman, who did the hiring?
I don't believe it's a financial or business motive in terms of KC being in debt and owing money, as I'm sure if she was in financial trouble then it would have made it into the public domain by now through the media or village gossip.
Also, her main business venture was basically a small holiday let, hardly something that would attract mafia types!

It makes me think back to a previous report a few pages ago about a neighbour seeing an unknown black man on the road oustide KC'S house 3 days before the murder, did LE follow up this sighting? Considering they are still asking for witnesses to come forward makes it seem like they concentrated too much on the original 'love triangle' motive instead of a potential oustisder hitman who would have fled the area straight after the murder.
I can't shake off the feeling that it all comes back to the person with the strongest motive, the husband.
I did find it odd that he made a point of saying he spoke to KC everyday even though several reports indicated that KC wanted a divorce and had 'had enough' according to the British neighbour she spoke to the previous evening. The fact he said he spoke to KC on the morning of the murder intrigues me, what would they have spoken about?
We know he said that he had questioned her before about her close relationship with JF, which he clearly wasn't happy with. But did they also have conflict about finances and properties?
What we do know is that it would be a perfect opportunity for him to ask KC her whereabouts and potentially plan a convenient time to attack an unsuspecting KC under the cover of darkness.
Yet at the same time I think AC has the most likely motive, it's difficult to think of him arranging it without leaving some kind of trail.

 

[Cedars]

The more information released, the more it seems like a targeted hit.
All of the neighbours and friends in her circle have been ruled out via DNA testing and the idea of a random madman being the perpetrator doesn't fit with the remote location and what looks like a carefully planned act.

So, if it's a hitman, who did the hiring?
I don't believe it's a financial or business motive in terms of KC being in debt and owing money, as I'm sure if she was in financial trouble then it would have made it into the public domain by now through the media or village gossip.
Also, her main business venture was basically a small holiday let, hardly something that would attract mafia types!

It makes me think back to a previous report a few pages ago about a neighbour seeing an unknown black man on the road oustide KC'S house 3 days before the murder, did LE follow up this sighting? Considering they are still asking for witnesses to come forward makes it seem like they concentrated too much on the original 'love triangle' motive instead of a potential oustisder hitman who would have fled the area straight after the murder.
I can't shake off the feeling that it all comes back to the person with the strongest motive, the husband.
I did find it odd that he made a point of saying he spoke to KC everyday even though several reports indicated that KC wanted a divorce and had 'had enough' according to the British neighbour she spoke to the previous evening. The fact he said he spoke to KC on the morning of the murder intrigues me, what would they have spoken about?
We know he said that he had questioned her before about her close relationship with JF, which he clearly wasn't happy with. But did they also have conflict about finances and properties?
What we do know is that it would be a perfect opportunity for him to ask KC her whereabouts and potentially plan a convenient time to attack an unsuspecting KC under the cover of darkness.
Yet at the same time I think AC has the most likely motive, it's difficult to think of him arranging it without leaving some kind of trail.

Good summary, thanks.

I suspect someone wanted a divorce, and we've certainly seen plenty of cases arising out of that. It struck me from the start, hiring a hit man in France might be very difficult, but not difficult in Africa. So perhaps flights would be a start...? I don't know how easy it would be for French police to investigate outside France. They'd need cooperation from interpol or similar...perhaps the Brits are assisting.

JMO

 

[Inthedetails]

I really don't know, perhap just wanted hands free to open the door, didn't want the dog to run off in the dark.

Evidently, that's how it apparently happened so it made sense to them both.

That makes sense - perhaps she was carrying something and couldn't handle that plus getting the dog out.

I know the movements made sense to HER. I'm trying to figure out the perp's actions - why and when.

jmopinion

 

[Dotta]

Re a husband

Why would this man want to murder Karen?



I don't think so...

1.They had been living practically apart
- on 2 continents -
for, what seems, a long time.

2. They were not in their 20ties, 30ties or even 40ties when passions or insane jealousy are high.
They seemed comfortable living far away from each other.

3. None of them would lose unfairly due to divorce,
financial matters are dealt with lawyers who take care of their clients.
Court decides such issues.

Besides,
if the alleged romance was proved,
the husband would be in better position.

4. They had adult children,
so there was no need to carry on with marriage for the sake of them.

5. The alleged hit organized by husband involving a black killer from SA sounds so convoluted
that I really don't treat it as plausible.

6. Nobody knows what business deals Karen was involved in.
Only that, recently, she was going to buy another house.

Hmmm...

Well,
Re alleged romance...
We must not forget that the alleged boyfriend seemed to be popular with ladies,
(was divorced and had children).

Maybe somebody from this side of the fence?

Apart from the retired local lady with alleged MH issues who was cleared by Police.

JMO

 

[Skigh]

Good point about them making sure it was her. I still think this was a hit, so that makes sense. I think the murderer left the country soon after. JMO.

I agree with you about it being a hit and the murderer leaving the country soon after. I think the murderer might have connections to someone in South Africa.

 

[miss marble]

Re a husband

Why would this man want to murder Karen?



I don't think so...

1.They had been living practically apart
- on 2 continents -
for, what seems, a long time.

2. They were not in their 20ties, 30ties or even 40ties when passions or insane jealousy are high.
They seemed comfortable living far away from each other.

3. None of them would lose unfairly due to divorce,
financial matters are dealt with lawyers who take care of their clients.
Court decides such issues.

Besides,
if the alleged romance was proved,
the husband would be in better position.

4. They had adult children,
so there was no need to carry on with marriage for the sake of them.

5. The alleged hit organized by husband involving a black killer from SA sounds so convoluted
that I really don't treat it as plausible.

6. Nobody knows what business deals Karen was involved in.
Only that, recently, she was going to buy another house.

Hmmm...

Well,
Re alleged romance...
We must not forget that the alleged boyfriend seemed to be popular with ladies,
(was divorced and had children).

Maybe somebody from this side of the fence?

Apart from the retired local lady with alleged MH issues who was cleared by Police.

JMO

I respectfully disagree that he didn't have motive.
As per a previous post from an article in 'La Parisien'
"According to several of her acquaintances, Karen Carter had been involved in a bitter divorce battle for several months. Written correspondence between the couple even suggests that the division of their property, located in South Africa and France, had become a source of contention"

Also, it was reported that on her football tour of South Africa, KC consulted a family lawyer about division of marital assets after divorce.
They may have been living apart, but by all accounts AC didn't want a divorce.
You may find it unlikley, but unfortunately there are plenty of websleuths cases of husbands 'disposing' of wives rather than divorcing purely because they don't want to lose their share of marital assets.

Also, he made a point of how he felt 'completely betrayed' by his wife's relationship with JF.
Sounds like someone who still had an emotional attachment to his wife, despite the distance imo.

 

[Dotta]

I respectfully disagree that he didn't have motive.
As per a previous post from an article in 'La Parisien'
"According to several of her acquaintances, Karen Carter had been involved in a bitter divorce battle for several months. Written correspondence between the couple even suggests that the division of their property, located in South Africa and France, had become a source of contention"

Also, it was reported that on her football tour of South Africa, KC consulted a family lawyer about division of marital assets after divorce.
They may have been living apart, but by all accounts AC didn't want a divorce.
You may find it unlikley, but unfortunately there are plenty of websleuths cases of husbands 'disposing' of wives rather than divorcing purely because they don't want to lose their share of marital assets.

Also, he made a point of how he felt 'completely betrayed' by his wife's relationship with JF.
Sounds like someone who still had an emotional attachment to his wife, despite the distance imo.

Well,
Spouses are usually the first to be "x-rayed" by Police.

I guess the husband was thoroughly checked by Investigators.

He was never mentioned as a suspect/POI or whatever such a person is called in France.

He was never arrested.

JMO

PS
Re feeling "completely betrayed"

Of course, who wouldn't???

 

[slowpoke]

Not wearing make-up on a planned event. that I find remarkable! I didn't know before.

On the Tuesday of her death, the Cafe Village schedule showed “entrainement foot” at 7pm. Have we heard if she went to the training before going to the wine tasting event? If she did, that could be a reason she was not in her usual complete makeup. Just a thought I had. But MOO

 

[Ssschu]

I can't help but think a professional hitman would have killed her as soon as she got out of the car. It would be extremely unprofessional to let her walk all the way inside and potentially miss his chance. It almost feels like someone saw her get out of the car and chickened out because they've never killed someone before. Then when she returned to the car they saw it as a sign and went through with it. I realize this isn't as likely as other scenarios but it crossed my mind.

 

[Dotta]

I can't help but think a professional hitman would have killed her as soon as she got out of the car. It would be extremely unprofessional to let her walk all the way inside and potentially miss his chance. It almost feels like someone saw her get out of the car and chickened out because they've never killed someone before. Then when she returned to the car they saw it as a sign and went through with it. I realize this isn't as likely as other scenarios but it crossed my mind.

Besides,
One professional cut/stab can kill.

Here, there was "overkill".

Her friend JF said it was slaughter
(per sent DM link)

 

[Cedars]

I can't help but think a professional hitman would have killed her as soon as she got out of the car. It would be extremely unprofessional to let her walk all the way inside and potentially miss his chance. It almost feels like someone saw her get out of the car and chickened out because they've never killed someone before. Then when she returned to the car they saw it as a sign and went through with it. I realize this isn't as likely as other scenarios but it crossed my mind.

However, in the dark, anyone would need to be sure there was no one else (ie boyfriend) in the car....or following right behind and not, as it happened, 10 mins. later.

 

[Cedars]

Besides,
One professional cut/stab can kill.

Here, there was "overkill".

Her friend JF said it was slaughter
(per sent DM link)

I don't think it's aways a 'professional' hitman. It's just someone trusted who's willing to do it this one time, for money.

Eg, Theresa Severs husband hired his old friend for $10,000. Her killers had never killed anyone before.

"She was found lying in a pool of blood...bearing evidence of 17 brutal strikes from a hammer.

'Dateline' covers heartbreak, betrayal and the murder of Teresa Sievers

NBC’s ‘Dateline’ will explore the heartbreaking story of the Sievers family.

www.deseret.com