British couple dying at their home in southern France

A British couple was found dead at their home in southwestern France.

Andrew and Dawn Searle, who moved from Scotland to France a few years ago, are found dead by their neighbors.

Jean Sebastian Orcival, mayor of Villfranche des Luhrgues, told French television that death was “evidently a murder.”

The couple is understood to have lived in the village of Les Pesquies, south of Villefranche de Luhrgoux for several years.

Orcival told BBC News that the cause of the death is still unknown, but it was not a “family tragedy.” In other words, they did not take or kill their own lives.

He previously dismissed speculation that the death was due to the robber being “wrong” and said “no knife was found.”

The couple’s bodies were discovered by their neighbors around 12/20 after they did not arrive to walk together as the dog had planned.

The BBC understands that when her neighbors went to check them out at their home, she found the body.

Orcival said that in the 60s, couples became “very well integrated” in the village, and previously invited their neighbors to drink.

The mayor added that he was delighted to marry them in the summer of 2023, and that Searle was wearing a quilt for the wedding.

Searle is understood to have been involved in financial crime prevention during his career at Standard Life and Barclays Banks.

Helicopters, drones, criminal investigation technicians and forensic doctors were all seen at home throughout Thursday.

Rodes prosecutor Nicholas Rigotto Muller, who is in charge of the investigation, has not commented on the case yet.

Les Pesquiès has around 100 residents, and the area is popular with Expas.

A spokesman for the UK’s Foreign Affairs Department said, “We are supporting the families of British couples who have passed away in France and are in touch with local governments.”