Mum-of-four Karen Carter, 65, was found dead outside her property in Tremolat, southwestern France after suffering multiple stab wounds – her husband said police discovered she was having an affair
The husband of a British woman allegedly murdered in France has said he feels ‘betrayed’ after police were reported to have uncovered an affair during their investigation.
Mother-of-four Karen Carter, 65, was found bleeding with multiple ‘deep’ stab wounds outside her property in the quiet village of Tremolat, to the east of Bordeaux, last Tuesday. Despite paramedics’ best efforts, the British expat was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering a “cardio-respiratory arrest”.
French police have since arrested a 69-year-old woman, said to be within Mrs Carter’s social circle, in connection with the killing. Her husband, Alan Carter, only found out about the death from a phone call he received back in the UK – and claims he has since been given further shocking news.
READ MORE: Brit mum, 65, tried to ‘defend herself’ during stabbing attack after wine-tasting party
He said police investigating her death had uncovered a secret relationship between Karen and retired French businessman Jean-François Guerrier – one which the husband said he already had suspicions about.
It was Mr Guerrier bleeding out in the driveway of her holiday home on April 29 after they’d spent the evening with others at a wine-tasting event.
Alan Carter, 65, told The Times said detectives’ enquiries had confirmed “a relationship I did not want to believe”, and that becoming aware of the affair left him with “a feeling of complete betrayal”.
He added that he had challenged Karen about the amount of time she was spending with Jean-François on numerous occasions, but that any romantic element had “been denied to me repeatedly.”
Mr Carter said that rumours had already been circulating about the pair by the time he confronted her, but she had told both him and her friends that “there was nothing in it”.
Karen, a retired teacher, had started up a holiday business in Trémolat around a decade ago, and met Jean-Francois while volunteering at the Café Village, a local bar and eatery.
Alan explained: “It was so obvious that Jean-François had an affection for Karen, and I feel he took advantage of the time we were spending apart.”
“I felt the Café Village attracted a lonely bunch of people who had nothing else to throw their lives into. I felt they were having a strong influence on Karen, and she really did not know that much about them.”
The husband said said he was staying at the couple’s home in East London last Wednesday when his cousin rang him and told him about Karen’s death.
An autopsy revealed Karen suffered from eight serious wounds – including to her chest, forearm and abdomen – and died “by haemorrhage following a wound to the aorta”. The report added: “All the wounds suggest the victim was attempting to defend herself from a frenzied attack.”