French prosecutors have revealed the cause of death for the mother and stepfather of actor Callum Kerr, following their discovery five days earlier in their rural home in southwest France.
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On Thursday, a neighbor in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès, Villefranche-de-Rouergue, discovered the bodies of Andrew and Dawn Searle. Post-mortem reports obtained by the BBC have revealed that Andrew Searle, 62, died by hanging. Meanwhile, Dawn Searle, 56, sustained fatal injuries from “multiple blows to the head with a blunt and sharp-edged object”.
Prosecutors in Rodez have shared an update on the case. However, the details of how the couple, who moved to France from Scotland, died are still unclear. “The investigation is ongoing. Particularly to determine whether the tragedy resulted from a domestic crime followed by suicide or involved a third party,” they explained, per the BBC.
Dawn Searle, partially clothed, was found outside the couple’s home with a severe head injury at approximately 12:27 on Feb. 6. Nearby, a box of jewelry was discovered, but no weapon or object capable of inflicting the injuries was recovered.
Firefighters responding to the alert found her husband at the back of the house with “no visible defensive wounds.” They promptly alerted the police.
The statement revealed that the property “appeared to have been searched superficially,” with cash discovered in the couple’s bedroom.
Callum Kerr Releases Statement in the Wake of the Tragic Deaths of His Mother and Stepfather
Dawn Searle’s son, Netflix actor Callum Kerr, shared a statement on social media on behalf of the couple’s four children.
“At this time, Callum Kerr and Amanda Kerr are grieving the loss of their mother, Dawn Searle (née Smith, Kerr), while Tom Searle and Ella Searle are mourning the loss of their father, Andrew Searle.”
Kerr also asked for the family’s privacy to be respected during this “difficult time.” They added that they would share updates when necessary.
Callum Kerr is known for his roles in Netflix’s Virgin River and the British soap opera Hollyoaks. In addition to his acting career, he has also made a name for himself as a country music artist.
The couple was found dead at their home in Les Pesquiès after a neighbor checked on them when they missed a planned dog walk.
The area surrounding their detached house was cordoned off as investigations unfolded. Meanwhile, local police enlisted expert assistance from Toulouse, located roughly 43 miles away.
Additional toxicology tests are currently being conducted as part of the ongoing investigation.