Kerr posted a message on social media, saying that he and his siblings “request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period,” while local authorities reveal what they do know.
Callum Kerr, star of Virgin River, is grieving the loss of his mother and stepfather.
On February 6, many publications reported that the bodies of the Scottish actor’s mother, Dawn Searle, and stepfather, Andrew Searle, were discovered in their house in Les Pesquies, south of the commune of Villefranche-de-Rouergue in France.
According to a family statement posted on Instagram on Saturday, Callum, his sister, and Andrew’s two children from a previous relationship are in mourning and asking for privacy.
“At this time, Callum and Amanda Kerr are grieving the loss of their mother, Dawn Searle (née Smith, Kerr),” the statement said, “while Tom Searle and Ella Searle are mourning the loss of their father, Andrew Searle.”
“No family member is available for media interviews or comments,” the statement went on. We respectfully ask that their privacy be maintained at this trying time. When necessary, we will send updates. I appreciate your understanding.
Although the reasons of loss for Dawn, 56, and Andrew, 62, have not yet been made public, Villefranche-de-Rouergue Mayor Jean-Sébastien Orcibal has addressed the tragedy, providing some unsettling information about the current investigation and reflecting on his friendship with the pair.
He told the British publication The Telegraph on Friday, “As mayor, I was called yesterday at about 12.30 p.m. to be informed that two bodies were found in their property.” “We went to the residence to protect the property with the gendarmes and local police. Since an intervention was conducted to ensure that no suspects remained in the residence, it was done both to prevent anybody from leaving and to cut off entrance to the property.”
Although they weren’t ruling it out, French police acknowledged that they were having trouble figuring out how both killings happened and were hesitant to proclaim them murders.
“We’ve only had one burglary in a neighbourhopd in years,” the mayor said, pointing out that crime was generally low in the region. He then revealed that he had performed the couple’s 2023 wedding ceremony, in which Callum was instrumental.
In September of the same year, the actor posted a picture of himself walking his mother down the aisle in a traditional Scottish kilt while writing, “Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle,” on Instagram. “What a joy! Mom, you are loved. Congratulations to Dawn and Andy on their amazing wedding day, and best wishes for a lovely life together.
The publication claims that almost ten years ago, Dawn and Andrew, who was once employed as a financial fraud detective, retired to France.
“They were British but they really wanted to integrate into local life,” Orcibal said. “Every year they invited more than a hundred people for a drink at their home.”
“They had two pedigree dogs that they walked along the river every day,” the mayor went on. Additionally, they would always stop and converse with whomever they saw, even if it was only for a brief “bonjour.” They were so polite and friendly.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Johan Herault, who owns a local tour business, described the couple’s passing as a “terrible shock.”
He said, “They were such lovely people,” to the article. “My wife and Dawn had a close friendship. She enjoyed conversing with them in English and is from New Zealand. We visited them often.
He said that Andrew “never suggested that he was in any danger,” and he added, “This is a really serene and tranquil place. Nothing about it makes sense.