In brief
Actor Callum Kerr shares his family's grief following the suspicious deaths of his mother and stepfather in rural France, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
The son of a Scottish woman whose life was tragically cut short along with her husband in France is speaking out about his family’s profound loss. Callum Kerr, known for his roles in the beloved series Hollyoaks and Netflix’s Virgin River, released an emotional statement on social media, reflecting the sorrow of the couple’s four children in light of their untimely deaths.Dawn Searle, aged in her sixties, was discovered alongside her husband Andrew by a neighbor at their home in the picturesque hamlet of Les Pesquiès, located north of Toulouse. The discovery occurred on Thursday when the couple failed to arrive for a scheduled dog walk, prompting concerned neighbors to check on them. The local mayor, Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, has voiced that the situation is being treated as a homicide.In his poignant Instagram post, Callum Kerr and his siblings made a heartfelt plea for privacy during this challenging time, expressing their grief over the loss of both parents. He had recently walked his mother down the aisle during her wedding to Andrew earlier in the year, an emotional moment that now serves as a haunting memory.The investigation is ongoing, yet local police remain tight-lipped about specific details, indicating that no preferred theory regarding the cause of death has emerged. The crime scene has been cordoned off as forensics teams utilize advanced resources, including drones and helicopters, to examine the area.Mr. Orcibal noted the couple was well-liked within the community, often hosting gatherings with fellow expatriates. Background checks reveal that Andrew Searle had a notable career in financial crime prevention, while Dawn hailed from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders.Currently, the UK Foreign Office is providing support to the grieving family and has been in contact with French authorities to establish the details surrounding this shocking incident. As investigations broaden, many in the local expat community are left in disbelief, mourning the loss of a couple who had established roots in their new home just a decade earlier.
