Scottish actor Callum Kerr said he is grieving a “tragic loss” after his mother and her partner were found dead at their home in France.
“At this time, Callum Kerr, Amanda Kerr, Tom Searle & Ella Searle are grieving the tragic loss of their mother and father, Dawn and Andrew Searle. No family member is available for media interviews or comments,” reads a statement shared by Kerr in an Instagram post on Saturday, February 8.
“We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period. We will provide updates as appropriate,” the statement added.
The bodies of Kerr’s mother, Dawn, and her husband, Andrew Searle, a retired fraud investigator, were found at their home in Villefranche-de-Rouergue, France, on Thursday, February 6, local media reported.
From filmmakers to artists, Hollywood lost several stars in 2025. News broke on January 4 that Aubrey Plaza’s husband, Jeff Baena, died one day earlier at the age of 47. Per medical examiner records viewed by Us Weekly, Baena died by suicide. “This is an unimaginable tragedy,” Plaza’s rep said in a statement to Us […]
The couple, both in their 60s, moved to France from Scotland around a decade ago, BBC News and The Guardian reported.
Dawn’s body was discovered by a neighbor outside the property, multiple outlets reported. Her cause of death is not known, though local media reported that she was found unconscious with a serious head injury.
When law enforcement arrived at the property, they also discovered Searle’s body, The Guardian reported.
Kerr, 30, is best known for his role in Netflix’s Virgin River and U.K. soap Hollyoaks. More recently, the star has focused on his music career, signing a record deal in June 2024. His single “Cold Beer Cold” was released on Friday, February 7.
The Virgin River universe is growing with an upcoming prequel — but how will the show reintroduce fans to Mel’s parents? The beloved family drama, which premiered in 2019, follows the lives of residents living in a small town in Northern California, including Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and her love interest Jack (Martin Henderson). The series […]
The actor walked Dawn down the aisle when she married Searle in September 2023.
“Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle,” Kerr wrote in an Instagram post on September 10, 2023. “What a pleasure!! I love you mum. Congrats to Dawn and Andy on their wonderful wedding day and here’s to a tremendous life together for the happy couple.”
