Mayor Jean-Sebastian Orcibal, who married Andrew and Dawn Searle, said there could be something from the couple’s past that could have played a role in their brutal deaths
A mayor who married a British couple who were found dead at their holiday home in France has posed a “problem from the past” theory as an investigation is ongoing into their deaths.
The bodies of Andrew Searle, 62, and Dawn Searle, were found to have been subjected to a brutal attack at their home in the French hamlet of Les Pesquies. Their German neighbour found them after Mr Searle failed to arrive for one of their regular dog walks.
But the mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, a nearby village, Jean-Sebastian Orcibal, who also married them, asked whether something in the couple’s past might have had a role in their deaths. His comments come as investigators look into circumstances surrounding their deaths.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: “It doesn’t seem like the problem comes from here because when we knew them and saw them living here they were very happy, very friendly and didn’t seem to have any problems. The problem seems to come from the past or somewhere far away.
“It’s an isolated act, it’s very independent. It doesn’t say that it’s a very dangerous territory, in fact, it’s very peaceful and that’s why probably Andy and Dawn chose to live here, because it’s very peaceful. Now, did their past come back and get them? That’s another story. That’s totally different from where we are. It could’ve happened anywhere.”
Police in France are investigating whether the couple was killed during a burglary gone wrong, but also are considering all lines of inquiry. Post-mortems have been carried out with the body of Mrs Searle having been found “partially undressed” in front of her home.
Mr Searle’s body was found “hanging from a radiator inside the property.” The statement from the coroner added Mrs Searle had “a significant wound on her skull” and that a box of jewellery was found nearby.
“Mr Searle was found hanging by a rope tied to a radiator [and] showed no visible defence injuries. [But] the house appeared to have been roughly searched; cash was found in the couple’s bedroom.” Police investigating the case have so far refused to say whether they have identified any subjects.
The statement confirmed Mrs Searle sustained multiple blows to her skull with a blunt and sharp object but that there was no sign of sexual assault. It added: “Further examinations (anatomical-pathological, toxicological) are ongoing to determine the precise circumstances of the deaths. Investigations are continuing, notably to determine whether the tragedy resulted from a marital crime followed by a suicide or from the intervention of a third party.”
