Police investigating the deaths of a British couple at their home in rural France have released details from a post-mortem examination.

Prosecutors say Dawn Searle, 56, was found at their property in Les Pesquies with “several” injuries to her head, while her husband, Andrew Searle, 62, was found hanged with no visible defensive injuries.

They are investigating whether the deaths are the result of a murder-suicide or if a third party was involved.

The pair are said to have been found dead by a German friend, who lives nearby, on Thursday after Mr Searle didn’t arrive for one of their regular dog walks.

The couple moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies around a decade ago and married in the nearby town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in the south of France, in 2023.

A statement from the office of public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said Ms Searle was found partially dressed with a major wound to her skull next to a box with jewellery inside.

But no object or weapon was found that could’ve caused the wounds, which an autopsy carried out in Montpellier on Monday found were caused by a blunt and sharp object. There were no signs of sexual assault.

The house appeared to have been quickly searched, while some cash was found in the couple’s room.

Investigators are conducting further examinations, including toxicology and pathology tests, to help determine the precise circumstances of their deaths.

They each have two children from previous relationships and Ms Searle’s son, the country musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, said they were in mourning in a statement posted on Saturday.

Family members are understood to have travelled to France, where they have spoken with investigators.

Read more from Sky News:
Identities of bodies recovered from Scottish rivers confirmed
Chelsea footballer Sam Kerr not guilty of racial harassment

The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who was also a neighbour of the Searles, said villagers and the British expat community were going to be getting “psychological help” following the incident, which has left locals in shock.

Speaking to Sky News from the town hall in which he conducted the couple’s wedding ceremony, he said: “It doesn’t seem like the problem comes from here because when we knew them and saw them living here they were very happy, very friendly and didn’t seem to have any problems.

“The problem seems to come from the past or somewhere far away.

“It’s an isolated act, it’s very independent. It doesn’t say that it’s a very dangerous territory, in fact, it’s very peaceful and that’s why probably Andy and Dawn chose to live here, because it’s very peaceful.

“Now, did their past come back and get them? That’s another story. That’s totally different from where we are. It could’ve happened anywhere.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson previously said: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.”

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK

Warren Gatland is leaving his role as Wales rugby head coach with immediate effect.

The 61-year-old was in charge of the national team between 2007 and 2019, before returning to the post in 2022.

He is Wales‘s longest-serving head coach and arguably the most successful in the Welsh Rugby Union’s (WRU) history, with a gate at Cardiff‘s Principality Stadium renamed “Gatland’s Gate” in honour of him in 2019.

But pressure has been growing on Gatland amid a record string of defeats for his Welsh side – 14 losses in a row.

The WRU confirmed on Tuesday that Gatland will be replaced by Cardiff Rugby head coach Matt Sherratt on an interim basis.

The team had a disappointing autumn international series, including losing to Fiji at home in Cardiff for the first time.

The team also suffered the indignity of picking up the wooden spoon in last year’s Six Nations championship for the first time since 2003, and are yet to win a game at this year’s tournament.

Wales failed to score in this year’s opening match, losing to France 43-0, before going on to lose to Italy 22-15 on Saturday.

Gatland returned to Welsh rugby union after succeeding fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac as Wales head coach.

He also served as head coach for three British and Irish Lions tours in 2013, 2017, and 2021.

In his original stint as Wales head coach, Gatland oversaw four Six Nations victories – including three grand slams, when Wales won every game they played.

Gatland reached out to WRU chief executive Abi Tierney on Monday to discuss his future.

Ms Tierney said Gatland and the union agreed that making the change now – part way through the Six Nations championship – was “in the best interests of the Wales squad”.

She said the WRU was grateful to Gatland “for all he has done for the game in Wales”.

“He remains our longest-serving and most decorated head coach in terms of the silverware he has won,” she added.

‘Time for a change’

Gatland thanked the WRU for “affording [him] the time and resource to try to turn things around for this 2025 tournament”.

“We have worked hard, we have a talented young squad that is developing and have been desperate to turn potential into results but now is the right time for a change,” he added.

Sherratt will oversee Wales for the rest of the tournament, before a permanent replacement is named ahead of fixtures in Japan in the summer.

Speaking ahead of this year’s Six Nations championship, Gatland told critics to “write us off at your peril”.

Read more from Sky News:
Google Maps changes name of Gulf of Mexico
Trump issues Gaza ceasefire ultimatum

Gatland is not the first departure from the WRU in recent months, after the WRU’s executive director of rugby quit in December.

When he stepped down, Nigel Walker said it was “right” that he was “judged on performances on the pitch”.

He said: “Both of our senior teams have found the last 12 months extremely difficult and therefore I believe now is the right time for me to step down”.

The entrepreneur who masterminded Deliveroo’s evolution into one of Britain’s biggest consumer technology businesses is preparing to hand over the reins to a new chief executive.

Sky News has learnt that Will Shu, who set the company up in 2013 and participated in its delivery service himself, is contemplating stepping back as CEO as soon as this year.

Under one scenario being discussed by Deliveroo’s board, chaired by Claudia Arney, Mr Shu could leave the role in the autumn.

Money blog: Britons told to holiday at Easter – or face astronomical summer prices

Carlo Mocci, the company’s chief business officer, is said to be the leading internal candidate to replace Mr Shu, although sources insisted on Tuesday that no decisions about a replacement had been taken by Deliveroo’s board.

Other succession planning scenarios are also said to be under consideration, including a number which could mean Mr Shu remaining in place for longer.

At least one executive search firm is said to be engaged by Deliveroo on the project.

One source added that Deliveroo did not plan to make a public announcement about leadership changes for some time.

Mr Shu has become one of the most prominent business leaders in Britain, steering a business which now employs thousands of people and partners with some of the country’s best-known restaurant brands, including McDonald’s, PizzaExpress and Wagamama.

Under his leadership, it has also broadened its offering to groceries, with partners such as the Co-op, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.

It has also encountered severe reputational challenges, notably over its treatment of so-called gig economy workers and their lack of employment rights.

Deliveroo was privately held for most of its first decade in existence, attracting big-name technology investors before, in 2019, Amazon swooped to buy a sizeable minority stake in the company.

The deal drew scrutiny from competition authorities, but was eventually approved the following year.

That was widely expected to be the prelude to a full takeover bid from the internet behemoth, but such an offer never materialised.

Instead, Deliveroo opted to go public in 2021 in London, leading to what critics dubbed the worst such public share sale in history.

Initially priced at 390p-a-share – which gave Deliveroo a valuation of £7.6bn – the stock tumbled on its debut, ending its first day of trading at 284p.

In recent months there has been growing speculation that Deliveroo will attract a takeover offer from an international suitor.

Berlin-based Delivery Hero sold its 4.5% stake in Deliveroo last year for roughly £77m, although more recent market chatter has centred on Doordash, the American takeaway delivery service.

A golden share held by Mr Shu that was put in place at the time of its IPO expired last year, removing the company’s automatic protection against any unwanted bid.

On Tuesday afternoon, Deliveroo shares were trading at around 138.5p, giving the company a market capitalisation of about £2.13bn.

The stock has risen by about 15% over the last year.

Deliveroo has been contacted for comment.