A British woman found dead alongside her husband is the mother of Hollyoaks and Netflix star Callum Kerr, it has emerged.

in Les Pesquies, southwest France, last Thursday.

Mrs Searle was found near the front door with a severe head injury, surrounded by scattered jewellery, while there are claims that Mr Searle may have been tortured before his death.

Dawn Searle is the mother of Callum Kerr, who featured in the popular soap opera between 2020 and 2021. Initially, French officials thought the deaths were the result of a botched burglary, but they now believe the "deaths were clearly a homicide."

The investigation has suggested that the couple may have been targeted by hitmen due to Mr Searle's past as an organised crime investigator.

No weapons were discovered at the couple's holiday home, and neither body showed signs of gunshot or knife wounds, according to a source speaking to French media outlet La Depeche du Midi. Autopsies are scheduled for Monday, while investigators continue to comb the crime scene for evidence, reports .

Nicolas Rigot-Muller, the regional prosecutor leading the investigation, stated: "Both died a violent death - all leads are being examined."

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office confirmed to MailOnline: "We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the Local Authorities."

The late Mr Searle hailed from West Sussex, while his wife was Scottish.

The grandfather played a crucial role in targeting money laundering kingpins with ties to Russia, as reported by The Sun. Mrs Searle's son, Callum Kerr, known for his role on 's , has remained silent on the tragic incident.

Callum, aged 30, a country music artist based in Nashville, Tennessee, had the honour of escorting his mother down the aisle at her wedding to Mr Searle in September 2023. He posted an Instagram photo celebrating the occasion, expressing his joy: "Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure! ! I love you mum."

He further celebrated the union, saying: "Congrats to Dawn and Andy on their wonderful wedding day and here's to a tremendous life together for the happy couple."

An insider close to the French probe told The Sun: "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."