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Murder inquiry launched after Briton, 85, found dead at his home in Gers in south-west France
The man had severe facial injuries, several suspects sought
An 85-year-old British man has been found dead at his isolated home in Gers after suffering severe blows to the face.
The victim, named as John A. in French media, was found at his home in Verlus, a small commune in western Gers, during the night of Friday, September 25 to Saturday, September 26.
According to AFP, police in nearby Mont-de-Marsan intervened at about 02:30 on Saturday after attempting to stop the victim’s Kia and its occupants failed to comply.
Two men abandoned the car and fled on foot.
Gendarmes in Gers were given the vehicle owner’s details and went to his home in Verlus, where they found his body, AFP reported, citing sources close to the case.
The body was found outside the house, suffering from a head wound, according to one of the sources. Gendarmes also found signs of a struggle inside the property, where the door was open.
The house is in the Côte de Peyron area, relatively isolated from other homes and close to the Landes department.
Initial findings by a forensic doctor indicated that the victim had suffered “very violent blows” to the face, La Dépêche du Midi reported.
The deputy prosecutor said the injuries were “probably” the cause of death, although an autopsy had not yet taken place as of Sunday.
Mayor Jean Menvielle told The Connexion that the village of around 120 people was “reeling under the shock” of the death.
“We do not understand why it happened to him. It makes no sense,” he said.
Several people sought
At least two people are believed to have been involved, according to the deputy prosecutor. No arrests had been made as of Sunday, September 27, and several people were still being sought.
The motive remains unclear.
“We do not know whether they came to steal or whether there was another motive, all of this is under investigation,” the deputy prosecutor told La Dépêche.
Investigators had not established how the injuries were inflicted, including whether the victim was struck with an object or with fists.
Mr Menvielle said that the Kia was an ordinary car aged between five and 10 years and was not particularly valuable.
Investigation transferred to Agen
A search of the victim’s home took place on Saturday evening but did not appear to produce any decisive evidence, according to La Dépêche.
The case has been transferred from the Auch prosecutor’s office to the criminal division of the Agen prosecutor’s office. The deputy prosecutor said a judge was expected to be appointed on Sunday.
The transfer gives the investigation a judicial framework for continuing the inquiries.
The Toulouse research section of the gendarmerie is involved, with several gendarmerie units in Gers and other departments also taking part.
Victim lived alone
Mr Menvielle said the victim had lived in Verlus for around 20 years but had been living alone since his wife became ill.
He described John A. as “very discreet” and said he was rarely seen around the commune.
He added that the couple had never caused problems and largely kept to themselves.
