A SCOTS expat couple found tortured to death in their idyllic French home may have been victims of a hitman linked to organised crime, terrorists or a rogue state, police fear.
Local detectives had at first believed Andrew Searle, 62, and wife Dawn, 56, fell victim to “violent” attacks during a botched burglary.
But tonight it has emerged they now suspect the brutal slayings may be linked to the grandad’s former career as a senior financial fraud investigator.
Mr Searle helped track down money-laundering crimelords and investigated terrorist cash trails for banks and insurance firms.
He had also probed so-called “sanctions busters” linked to rogue states such as Russia.
The bodies of the dad-of-two and his second wife were found yesterday in a grisly scene at their home in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès, near Villefranche-de-Rouergue, south-west France.
Cops believe Dawn may have been killed while trying to escape.
One neighbour said yesterday: “Andy and Dawn were lovely — this is extremely distressing.
“They were extremely friendly, always out and about. What has happened has caused a lot of fear.”
A forensic doctor was rushed in by helicopter.
An initial examination is not thought to have found bullet or knife wounds.
Police were said to be keeping an open mind, with possibilities including a murder-suicide or an attack by a burglar.
But a link to organised crime is also being looked into.
A French investigation source said: “The fear is the couple were murdered. They were very fit and very popular locally — but there is a theory they were being pursued by criminals from the UK.
“This is currently the prioritised line of inquiry, as Mr Searle was once involved in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.”
The fluent French and German speaker worked for 21 years for Standard Life as UK and Europe Financial Crime Manager.
He was responsible for “sanction screening” — stopping money flowing to rogue states.
Edinburgh-based Mr Searle was also involved in fraud, bribery and corruption investigations — and worked with the police, HMRC and Foreign Office.
Originally from Sussex, he had lived with first wife Jean in Musselburgh, East Lothian, before he retired in 2015 to start a new life with project manager Dawn, from Peebles.
His profile on the LinkedIn business website said: “Enjoying life in rural France — renovating!”
The Searles spent years refurbishing their run-down property, including adding a swimming pool, before advertising rooms for rent on holiday websites.
Dawn’s son is country singer Callum Kerr, 30, who also previously starred in Hollyoaks.
In September 2023, he beamed as he walked his mother down the aisle during her and Andrew’s wedding.
By this evening, French police had not released their names but at least three neighbours confirmed they were the victims.
A source said they “had numerous friends locally and further afield, and often organised dinner parties”.
Regional prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said tonight: “Both died a violent death — all leads are being examined.”
Local mayor Jean-Sebastien Orcibal said the bungled break-in theory was extremely unlikely.
He added: “We do not really have burglaries in our town, and especially not violent burglaries.”
Cops remained at the scene last night. Post-mortem are expected on Monday.
The UK Foreign Office was approached for comment.
