HOLLYOAKS star Callum Kerr has broken his silence after his mum and stepdad were tragically found dead in their France holiday home.
The bodies of Andrew, 62, and Dawn Searle, 56, were discovered in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, on Thursday.
Dawn’s son, Callum, is best known for playing PC George Kiss in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks between 2020 and 2021.
Callum also starred in Netflix‘s Virgin River – playing young Everett, Mel’s father, in the most recent series.
The son who is going through a period of mourning has decided to speak up about the passing of his dear mother and stepfather. In a statement, he, along with his sister Amanda and Andrew’s children Tom and Ella, expressed their feelings.
In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, the statement reflects the pain they are experiencing. It states, “Callum Kerr and Amanda Kerr are currently coping with the loss of their mother, Dawn Searle (previously known as Smith, Kerr), while Tom Searle and Ella Searle are grieving the passing of their father, Andrew Searle.”
“We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period.
“We will provide updates as appropriate. Thank you for your understanding.”
Callum, who is also a country singer based in Nashville with his fiance, walked his mother down the aisle when she married Andrew in September 2023.
The 30-year-old has over 135,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and released his new track Cold Beer Cold on Friday just hours after his mum’s death.
‘VIOLENT’ DEATHS
Initially, it was suspected that Andrew, who hailed from West Sussex, and Dawn, who was from Scotland, lost their lives in what was thought to be a burglary gone awry at their secluded vacation home in the southwest of France.
But new information from the investigation into the couple’s deaths revealed that they may have been targeted by hitmen with Andrew being a former organised crime investigator.
Reports also emerged claiming that Andrew may have been tortured before his tragic death.
Dawn had suffered a head wound and was found near the front door surrounded by scattered jewellery.
No weapons were found at the scene and no bullet or knife wounds were found in an initial examination of the bodies, a source close to the investigation told La Depeche du Midi.
The autopsies are expected to take place on Monday as the couple’s home continues to be searched for clues.
Regional prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller – in charge of the investigation – said: “Both died a violent death – all leads are being examined.”
‘MOB HIT’ FEARS
The retired grandad played a key role in cracking down on money laundering crimelords and sanctions busters linked to rogue states like Russia.
He also probed terrorist money trails before moving to France from Scotland a decade ago following his retirement.
Financial crime expert Mr Searle worked as a consultant for banking giant Barclays for nine months before his retirement.
But prior to that he worked for more than 21 years for the Standard Life insurance company as UK & Europe Financial Crime Manager.
He worked with cops and Serious Fraud Office against organised crime groups involved in financial crimes like money laundering.
His LinkedIn professional profile said he was: “Responsible for all Anti-Financial Crime matters in the UK & Europe function – providing an investigation service for the Group.”
Andrew had a long career of “fighting against organised crime and terrorism,” a French investigating source revealed.
They added: “A criminal enquiry has been launched and the fear is that the couple were murdered.
“They were very fit, and very popular locally, but there is a theory that they were being pursued by criminals from the United Kingdom.
“It may well be that gangsters with a score to settle are behind these killings.”
MURDER ‘CAUGHT ON CAMERA’
Despite its rural location, the hamlet is surrounded by police and road video surveillance cameras that operate 24 hours a day.
There are also private security cameras belonging to neighbours of the Searles who often leave their properties empty.
An investigating source said: “It would be absolutely impossible to get in or out without being filmed.
“The likelihood is that a car was used, but even if someone managed to get across the countryside on foot, they were definitely caught on camera at some point.”
Specialist officers have already started examining days of footage in a radius of at least five-miles around the suspected murder scene.
Gendarmes are also making house-to-house enquiries and collecting all footage available.
“Criminals can take all kind of precautions to disguise their activities, but cameras are everywhere,” the source said.
“We’re not dealing with open countryside – Villefranche-de-Rouergue is a well policed municipality and cameras play a huge part in the fight against crime.”
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the Local Authorities.”
Andrew and Dawn moved to rural France where they renovated the run-down property that became their beloved home and holiday let.
Advertised on the official Aveyron tourist website under the headline “At Andrew and Dawn’s”, the online ad read: “2 bedroom apartment (6-8 people) fully furnished and equipped with swimming pool offering plenty of privacy.
“A beautiful apartment in the beautiful countryside, offering privacy and tranquillity.”
According to a local source, the couple were much loved in the area popular with British expats and had a busy social life.
The source said: “They had numerous friends locally and further afield including in Britain, and often organised dinner parties.
“They both loved the countryside, and were very happily settled.
“They were very proud of their house, which is situated well away from other buildings in the hamlet.”
No arrests have been made in connection to their deaths.
