Karen Carter, a 65-year-old dual British and South African national, had long-established ties to the village of Trémolat in southwestern France. Along with her husband, Alan Carter, she owned and operated two holiday rentals in the village: a restored 250-year-old farmhouse and an adjacent 18th-century stone barn, jointly known as Les Chouettes. The couple purchased the properties approximately 15 years ago, and Carter divided her time between the Dordogne region and the couple’s shared residence in East London, South Africa.
That routine was abruptly ended on 29 April, when Carter was killed in an attack outside Les Chouettes. The incident, which took place in the normally quiet hamlet, has unsettled the local community and prompted an ongoing investigation into a homicide for which no suspect has yet been charged.
According to information reported from a post-mortem examination, Carter died from extensive blood loss after sustaining multiple stab wounds. Reports indicate that she collapsed near her vehicle after the attack. Authorities are said to have identified eight significant injuries, including wounds to the chest, abdomen, and forearm, as well as additional injuries to other parts of the body.
Earlier that evening, Carter had reportedly attended a wine-tasting event at Café Village Trémolat, a local community association that describes itself as a social meeting place for residents of Trémolat and nearby areas. Around 15 people were present at the gathering, including the village mayor, Eric Chassagne.
In the days following the killing, a 69-year-old local woman—identified in some media outlets as Marie-Laure Autefort—was taken into custody in connection with the investigation. She was subsequently released without charge.
Further details later emerged concerning the circumstances in which Carter’s body was found. She was reportedly discovered by Jean-François Guerrier, a 75-year-old businessman, after she failed to respond to his attempts to contact her. Guerrier, who had volunteered alongside Carter at Café Village, was said to have attempted to assist her after finding her injured, but was unable to revive her. He was questioned by investigators and later ruled out as a suspect.
Media coverage has focused extensively on Carter’s personal life, particularly reports that she was in a relationship with Guerrier, a former senior executive at Fujitsu Services. These claims, cited by several outlets as having been confirmed by the public prosecutor’s office, have been widely discussed in tabloid reporting.
Carter’s husband, who was in South Africa at the time of the killing, said he was deeply surprised by suggestions that his wife had been involved in a romantic relationship with another man. He stated that he had understood Guerrier to be a friend and said he had previously raised concerns with his wife about rumors circulating in the village. According to him, she dismissed the speculation and maintained that it was unfounded.
Despite months of investigation, authorities have not publicly identified a clear motive for the attack. Numerous theories have circulated, but none have led to a breakthrough. Investigators renewed their appeal for witnesses in late November, underscoring that the case remains unresolved.
