The actor’s mother and stepfather died under unclear circumstances, though the mayor stated it was “clearly a homicide.”
Callum Kerr’s parents, Andrew and Dawn Searle, were found dead on February 6, by a neighbour in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in south-west France. The police are conducting further investigations to determine the circumstances that led to their tragic demise.
As for now, post-mortem examinations have revealed that Andrew, 62, passed away from hanging, while Dawn, 56, died from head injuries caused by both blunt and sharp objects. The couple’s bodies were discovered around 12:20 p.m. on February 6, after a neighbor went to check on them when they missed a scheduled dog walk.
The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, told media houses that the cause of death remains unclear. However, he noted that the deaths were “clearly a homicide.”
On the other hand, Nicolas Rigot-Muller, the region’s public prosecutor, confirmed that both had died violent deaths but it was too early to classify either as homicide. Nicolas emphasized that all possibilities remained under investigation.
Jean-Sébastien, who officiated the couple’s wedding, recounted being notified about the discovery of Andrew and Dawn’s bodies around midday. Authorities swiftly secured the property, ensuring no suspects remained inside.
The mayor divulged that the tragedy has left the quiet community in shock as crime in the area is rare. He added that the couple was well-known locally, having embraced life in France by running a gîte and frequently socializing with neighbors.
Andrew, who spoke fluent French, and Dawn were described as warm and sociable, often stopping for conversations during their daily walks with their pedigree dogs.
Prosecutors in Rodez have also spoken out, issuing a statement that read, “The investigation is ongoing, particularly to determine whether the tragedy resulted from a domestic crime followed by suicide or involved a third party.”
The police have also shared more details, noting that Dawn, who was found outside the couple’s home with a severe head injury, was partially undressed. Nearby, a box of jewelry was discovered, but no weapon linked to the wounds was found.
Firefighters responding to the neighbor’s distress call said Andrew was located at the back of the house with no visible defensive injuries. CCTV footage, shared on social media had captured Andrew purchasing lottery tickets just hours before his tragic and violent death.
Now, Toulouse Police is carrying out investigations with further toxicology tests being conducted. Authorities noted that the couple’s home appeared to have been superficially searched, with cash still present in the couple’s bedroom. The area surrounding the couple’s home has been secured as investigations continue.
Still, authorities have not yet opened a criminal case or established a leading theory on the pair’s deaths. Dawn, originally from Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, and Andrew, who was from England, had been living in Musselburgh near Edinburgh before marrying in France in 2023. Prosecutors stated that they had resided in the Aveyron region for five years.
Andrew’s LinkedIn profile indicates he had a background in financial crime prevention, having worked at companies such as Standard Life and Barclays Bank. Investigators are exploring the possibility that Andrew may have been targeted by someone with a criminal past, due to his previous work. This could be a potential individual he had a role in bringing to justice.
Dawn and Andrew’s family are now in mourning. Dawn is the mother of actor and country musician Callum Kerr, while Andrew is his stepfather. Callum released a statement on Instagram, which reads, “At this time, Callum Kerr and Amanda Kerr are grieving the loss of their mother Dawn Searle (nee, Smith, Kerr), with Tom Searle and Ella Searle are mourning the loss of their father, Andrew Searle.”
The statement noted that the family is requesting privacy as they grieve and are not available for media interviews or comments. They promised to provide updates later on.
Callum is known for starring in “Virgin River” and “Hollyoaks.” He has also released a couple of country songs. The actor was close to his mom and in 2023, he walked Dawn down the aisle as she married Andrew at a ceremony in France.
He was proud of the special moment, writing, “Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure. I love you mum. Congrats to Dawn and Andy on their wonderful wedding day and here’s to a tremendous life together for the happy couple 🥂.”
In 2021, Dawn traveled to Austin, Texas, to visit her son. They were thrilled to spend time together, capturing moments as they explored the city. He shared a glimpse of their day on social media, posting two photos with the caption, “Showing this Scottish / French girlie around town #mum 💙.”
Aside from their families, Andrew and Dawn’s neighbors are also mourning their deaths, sharing their shock and sadness. Johan Herault, who runs a local tour company, remembered them as kind and welcoming, with a deep appreciation for nature. “I often spoke with Andrew about fishing in the local area and our dog,” said John.
He added, “My wife was very good friends with Dawn. She is from New Zealand and liked speaking English with them. We often went to see them. They lived near the mayor.”
John also remembered frequent conversations with Andrew about his work in the UK with the police. “He never mentioned that he was in any danger. This is an incredibly calm and peaceful area. It doesn’t make any sense,” he acknowledged.
Another villager described how the entire community was shaken, recalling how the couple had recently visited her farm to buy meat. She expressed her distress over the uncertainty surrounding their deaths, saying it had left her unable to sleep.