A British couple in their 60s have been found dead at their home in south-western France, with investigators now exploring potential links to UK organised crime.
The bodies of Andrew and Dawn Searle were discovered on Thursday afternoon in Les Pesquiès, a hamlet south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
A criminal investigation has been launched, with support from local police, judicial police as well as the gendarmes.
"A criminal enquiry has been launched and the fear is that the couple were murdered," an investigating source told reporters.
The couple had lived in the area for around ten years after relocating from Scotland
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The Searle family had lived in the area for around ten years after relocating from Scotland, where Andrew had previously worked as a financial investigator specialising in the fight against organised crime and terrorism before moving to France.
Investigators are now prioritising the theory that criminals from the United Kingdom might be responsible for the deaths.
"They were very fit, and very popular locally, but there is a theory that they were being pursued by criminals from the United Kingdom," the investigating source said.
The couple were well-known in the local community, with authorities noting they were "well-integrated" into the village.
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Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, the Mayor of Villefranche, has dismissed speculation about a burglary gone wrong, saying: "We do not really have burglaries in our town, and especially not violent burglaries."
The mayor said that the deaths were "clearly a homicide" and noted that "no knife was found" at the scene, while local officials have suggested there could be other motives beyond robbery for the deaths.
The property and surrounding land have been turned into an extensive crime scene, with no arrests made so far in connection with the deaths as forensics officers continue to examine the cordoned-off property.
A drone was seen circling overhead as part of the investigation, while gendarmes conducted house-to-house enquiries.
The investigation has involved multiple resources, including a helicopter and criminal investigation technicians.
The investigation has involved multiple resources, including a helicopter and criminal investigation technicians
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A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities."
The couple's property included a two-bedroom flat that was regularly let to paying visitors and was advertised extensively online, featuring a swimming pool and was surrounded by thick woods.
"They both loved the countryside, and were very happily settled. They were very proud of their house," a local source said.
The couple were known to host dinner parties and had "numerous friends locally and further afield including in Britain".
Les Pesquiès, home to around 100 residents, is located in the Aveyron department, an area popular with British expats and holiday homeowners.
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