Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr has appealed to friends of his late mother to avoid attending his stepfather's funeral after the death of a British couple in France in what is being treated as a murder-suicide.
Andrew Searle and Dawn Kerr, both in their 60s, were found lifeless in their home in the south of France on the afternoon of February 6.
Dawn Kerr's body was found at the entrance to the house with severe head injuries and partially undressed, while Andrew Searle was found hanged on the grounds of their estate in the commune of Les Pescis (Aveyron department, Villefranche-de-Rouergue region).
Investigative bodies have initiated an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident: whether it was a murder that ended in suicide, or whether outsiders were involved in the incident.
Prosecutor Fabrice Bélargent previously noted that “the examinations carried out so far do not confirm the version of the intervention of third parties.”
In a statement posted on social media, Callum Kerr said it was “inappropriate” to combine his mother's memory with “a memorial service for a man who, according to the evidence gathered, may be responsible for her death.”
He insists on separate funeral ceremonies and a ban on the publication of joint images of the deceased.
In a joint statement, Callum and his sister Amanda Kerr said: “In the absence of evidence of third party involvement in the death of our mother, Dawn Kerr, the primary theory remains that it was a murder followed by suicide.
“Our mother died from multiple blows to the head, while Andrew was found in a noose.
“The nature of his injuries corresponds to signs of self-destruction; there are no signs of resistance on the body.
“At the moment, there is no information indicating the involvement of other persons.
“While the official investigation continues, we are obliged to take into account the established facts.
“In this regard, we are forced to politely but firmly ask that any mention of our mother be excluded from the events associated with Andrew’s funeral.
“We ask that you refrain from publishing their joint photographs.
“Please do not come to Andrew's memorial service if you were close to our mother.
“Associating her memory with a ceremony for a man who, according to available information, may have taken her life is unacceptable.
“We ask for understanding, respect for our grief and privacy as we seek to obtain the truth for our mother.”
Callum Kerr is best known for his role as PC George Kiss in the hit Channel 4 series and for his role in Netflix's Virgin River.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Andrew Searle previously investigated financial fraud at Standard Life and Barclays.
In a statement in February, the French prosecutor's office said: “Both victims, a man and a woman, were the owners of the house where they were found.
“The British pensioners had been living in the Aveyron area for five years.
“The first victim, Mrs Kerr, suffered critical head injuries.
Deaths of British pensioners in southern France 'classified as murder-suicide'… Read more»
There was a jewelry box next to her, but no weapon that could have caused such damage was found.
“Mr Searle's body, found in the noose… shows no evidence of defensive injuries.”
For those affected by the issues raised in this story, the Samaritans 24-hour helpline offers free advice on 116 123 or email [email protected] . Further mental health support resources are available at mentalhealthireland.ie/get-support.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
