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Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr has asked friends of his deceased mother to refrain from attending his stepfather’s funeral. This request follows the suspicion that the couple died in a murder-suicide scenario.
Andrew Searle, aged 65, and Dawn, 56, were discovered lifeless in their residence in Les Pequies, located in southwest France, by a neighbor on February 6 this year.
Mrs Searle was discovered in her pyjamas outside their house with a head injury and jewellery scattered around her body.
Her husband, a former financial investigator, was found dead inside the house, hanging from a radiator.
Earlier this year, the prosecutor overseeing the investigation concluded that there was no indication of third-party involvement in their deaths, suggesting one spouse killed the other before taking their own life.
Mr. Kerr has advised his mother’s friends not to be present at Mr. Searle’s funeral, stating it would be unsuitable for her legacy to be associated with the individual ‘who might have caused her passing’.
He conveyed in a statement via social media: ‘Without any evidence pointing to the involvement of a third party in the unfortunate passing of our mother, Dawn Kerr, the prevailing view continues to be that of a murder-suicide.’
‘Our mother sustained fatal injuries from multiple blows to the head, and Andrew was discovered having died by hanging. His injuries correspond with a self-inflicted hanging, and no defensive marks were observed on his body. There is currently no evidence to suggest the involvement of any third party.’
Andrew Searle, 65, and his wife Dawn, 56 are believed to have died in a murder-suicide
Following their deaths Dawn’s son Callum Kerr (pictured) urged friends not to attend Mr Searle’s funeral
Mr Kerr said in a post on social media it would be ‘inappropriate’ for her memory to be associated with the man ‘who may have been responsible for her death’
‘While the official investigation is still ongoing, we cannot ignore the circumstances as they stand,’ the statement continued.
‘For this reason, we must respectfully but firmly request that our mother not be included in any way in the funeral arrangements being made for Andrew. Please do not share photographs of them together.’
‘Please do not attend Andrew’s service if you were a friend of our mother. It would be inappropriate for her memory to be associated with a service honouring the man who, based on all available evidence, may have been responsible for her death.
‘We ask for understanding, privacy and respect as we continue to grieve and seek justice for our mum.’
Actor and country singer Mr Kerr attended the couple’s wedding and walked his mother down the aisle during the ceremony in France in 2023.
Mr Kerr starred as PC George Kiss in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks and has appeared in the romantic drama Virgin River on Netflix.
Mr Kerr, who now lives in the southern US state of Tennessee, released a statement on behalf of the Searles’ grief-stricken children following their parents’ deaths earlier this year.
He wrote: ‘At this time, Callum Kerr and Amanda Kerr are grieving the loss of their mother, Dawn Searle, while Tom Searle and Ella Searle are mourning the loss of their father, Andrew Searle.’
Callum Kerr walks his mother Dawn down the aisle for her marriage to Mr Searle in 2023
Mr Kerr is seen starring as PC George Kiss in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks
Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn (pictured) were married during a ceremony in France in 2023
Pictured is the house where the Searles were discovered
Back in February, investigators reportedly believed that a marital crime followed by a suicide was probable, after examinations in the house and garden failed to uncover evidence of a third party.
It was initially believed Mrs Searle had tried to run away from an attacker before she was caught and battered to death.
There was also evidence of a frantic search inside the property, with drawers and cupboards left open and furniture upended.
But inquiry sources said that Mrs Searle ‘would have certainly been heard by near neighbours’ if she had been murdered in the garden.
Post-mortem examination results also showed there were no defensive wounds on Mr Searle, nor any forensic evidence suggesting persons unknown touched him or his wife.
The couple had started a new life at a villa in picturesque Les Pesquiès, north of Toulouse, after moving from Musselburgh in East Lothian, Scotland, ten years ago.
Less than 24 hours before he was found dead, CCTV footage appeared to show Mr Searle entering a tobacconist in Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
It is understood that he spent at least 20 years working with the police and Serious Fraud Office targeting organised crime groups involved in financial crimes such as money laundering.
