Horror murders of Brit expat couple 'feared to be organised crime hit

IT is feared the British couple found murdered in France may have been killed by an organised crime gang.

- TOM PETTIFOR & SASKIA ROWLANDS

Andrew and Dawn Searle, both retired and in their 60s, died at their remote cottage.

Andrew was reportedly discovered hanging with a gag in his mouth, while Dawn lay naked near the front door and had suffered a severe head wound.

It was first thought to have been a burglary gone wrong but detectives are now said to be investigating a possible link to Andrew's former job, probing international financial crime.

He spent at least 20 years working with police and the Serious Fraud Office hunting money launderers and those linked to rogue states such as Russia.

This included checking individuals and groups who faced being barred from dealing in the UK because of possible links to terrorists or drug traffickers. This would have brought Mr Searle to the notice of crime networks.