Who were Dawn and Andrew Searle? What we know about Callum Kerr’s mother and step father in wake of France tragedy

The death of British couple Dawn and Andrew Searle at their home in France has left family, friends, and the local community in shock, the couple had created their peaceful lives in the rural village of Les Pesquiès.

They were found dead on February 6, 2025. No cause of death has yet been confirmed, though authorities have not ruled out any possibility as the investigation continues, per Scotsman.

Dawn and Andrew Searle, a Scottish couple, were living in France for around 10 years. Dawn, 56, was a project manager, and Andrew, 62, a retired fraud investigator. Friends and neighbors said that they were a well-liked couple, who had completely adjusted to life in the French countryside.

The couple tied the knot in 2023, a milestone that Dawn’s son, the Scottish actor Callum Kerr, marked on social media.

Kerr, who is known for his roles in Virgin River and Monarch, walked his mother down the aisle. He expressed his happiness noting that not many people can say they walked their mother down the aisle.

Dawn and Andrew Searle were also described by their neighbors as friendly and sociable, who often stopped to talk with locals whenever they took their two pedigree hunting dogs for a walk. The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, described them as a couple who had “a very rich social life.”

A neighbor called the authorities on February 6th after the couple did not appear for a planned dog walk, per the BBC. When officers arrived, they found Dawn’s body outside the house, partially clothed and with head injuries, with pieces of her jewelry scattered around her, The Telegraph has reported.

Andrew Searle was found inside the house, per local media. Authorities immediately ruled the deaths as homicides but have not confirmed additional details. Nicolas Rigot-Muller, the regional prosecutor in charge of the case, said:

"I am waiting to know the date and the result of the autopsies, as well as what comes back from the initial investigations"

Speculations surrounding Dawn and Andrew Searle’s deaths and Callum Kerr’s response

There was some initial speculation that the crime might have been a violent burglary that stemmed from Andrew Searle’s former career as a fraud investigator. However, there has not been any confirmation of forced entry or stolen property.

According to The Telegraph, prosecutors have stressed that all leads are still being investigated.

Surveillance footage from the day before their bodies were discovered shows Andrew buying a lottery ticket and a chocolate bar, indicating that he was acting normal just hours before the incident.

In the wake of the tragedy, Callum Kerr and other relatives issued a statement asking to be left alone at this difficult time, the statement said:

"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.

It continued:

"No family member is available for media interviews or comments. We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period. We will provide updates as appropriate. Thank you for your understanding."