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Scots woman and husband found dead in France autopsy date set
The date of an autopsy for a Scots woman, who is mother of a Hollyoaks star, and her husband, who were found dead in a suspected "torture" at their home in France has been revealed.
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The autopsy date for a Scots woman and her husband found dead in a suspected "torture" at their home in France has been revealed.
French police are currently investigating the circumstances around the deaths of Andrew and Dawn Searle, whose bodies were found at their property in Les PesquiĂšs, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, at 12.20pm on Thursday, February 6.
It has now been revealed to the BBC by the prosecutor in charge of the investigation, Nicolas Rigot-Muller, that the autopsies are scheduled to take place on Monday. He added: "Investigations are currently taking place."
Officers believe that the couple, who are in their 60s, could have been murdered by an organised crime gang from the UK, as Andrew Searle was previously involved in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.
Dawn Searle was originally from East Lothian. (Image: Facebook)He spent over 20 years working for the Serious Fraud Office and police, investigating organised crime groups involved in financial crimes such as money laundering, including 'sanctions screening' - checking individuals and groups who might be banned from dealing in the UK due to links with drugs traffickers, rogue nations or terrorist organisations. It is believed he would have been known to global organised crime groups due to his job.
Police have looked into the theory that they were targets of a "burglary gone wrong" after being pursued by British criminals, the Mirror reports. They have also disclosed the chilling circumstances in which Mr Searle's body was discovered.
Andrew Searle was an organised crime investigator (Image: LinkedIn)He was discovered hanged inside the house with a gag in his mouth. No weapon was found nearby, suggesting he may have been tortured before being killed. Dawn was found nearby, naked and having suffered a wound to her head. She was lying by the front door with jewellery scattered around her, which suggests she may have been trying to flee when she was attacked by an intruder or intruders.
A source close to the enquiry revealed the grisly details to French media outlet La DĂ©pĂȘche. They said: "The wife's body was first discovered, completely naked, in front of the door of the house.
"Around the unfortunate woman, jewellery was found scattered, testifying to a great disorder. In the house, the husband's body was discovered hanging with a gag stuck in his mouth."
The sleepy French village of Les PesquiĂšs, south of Villefranche-de-RouergueA forensic doctor arrived at the scene on Thursday and after carrying out an initial examination of the bodies, it is believed he did not find any bullet or knife wounds. A helicopter, a drone, criminal investigation technicians and a forensic doctor were all deployed to the site. No cause of death has been confirmed yet.
The source added: "A criminal enquiry has been launched and the fear is that the couple were murdered. They were very fit, and very popular locally, but there is a theory that they were being pursued by criminals from the United Kingdom. This is currently the prioritised line of enquiry, because Mr Searle was once involved in the fight against organised crime and terrorism."
Originally from West Sussex, Andrew worked in Scotland for several years, latterly at a major bank in Edinburgh. His wife Dawn was a project manager, originally from Musselburgh, East Lothian.
Callum Kerr starred in Hollyoaks. (Image: Supplied)Dawn is the mother of Hollyoaks actor and country music singer Callum Kerr, 30. Callum walked his mother down the aisle as she married Andrew in France.
On social media, Callum said: "Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure. I love you mum."
A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities."
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