When Virgin River actor Callum Kerr took to Instagram on August 19, his words were steeped in both heartbreak and conviction. The Scottish-born star, best known to Netflix audiences for portraying the young Everett Reid in Virgin River and PC George Kiss in Hollyoaks, broke his silence on a tragedy that has shaken his family—and left fans across two continents stunned.
In a joint statement with his sister Amanda, Kerr addressed the funeral of his late stepfather, Andrew Searle, the man suspected of killing their mother, Dawn Kerr, in a murder-suicide earlier this year. Their message was clear and painfully resolute: Andrew’s funeral must not include any mention of their mother, nor should those who loved Dawn attend.
“In the absence of any evidence suggesting third-party involvement in the tragic death of our mother, the prevailing hypothesis remains that of a murder-suicide,” Kerr and his sister wrote. “Our mother was killed by multiple blows to the head. There is no evidence whatsoever of any third party’s involvement.”
A Family Torn Apart
The horrific incident unfolded on February 6 in Les Pesquiés, a quiet village in France’s Aveyron region. The couple’s bodies were discovered by a concerned neighbor after they failed to show up for a planned dog walk. Authorities later confirmed that Dawn’s body was found in the garden with severe head injuries, while Andrew’s was discovered inside the home, suggesting a violent end to what had once appeared to be a peaceful life abroad.
French investigators concluded in April that the deaths were consistent with a murder followed by suicide, effectively ruling out outside interference. For Callum and Amanda, this confirmation—while devastating—cemented their stance on how their mother’s memory should be honored.
“Please do not share photographs of them together,” their statement continued. “Please do not attend Andrew’s service if you were a friend of our mother. It would be inappropriate for her memory to be associated with a service honoring the man who, based on all available evidence, may have been responsible for her death.”
Their appeal struck an emotional chord online, where messages of sympathy and solidarity poured in from fans and fellow actors alike.
From Heartbreak to Resolve
The tragedy is all the more haunting considering the love story that preceded it. Dawn and Andrew had been together for roughly a decade and tied the knot in September 2023, with Callum proudly walking his mother down the aisle. Photos from the day—once symbols of joy—now carry unbearable weight.
Friends and neighbors in France described the couple as “friendly and active,” often seen walking their dogs through the village. No public reports suggested domestic troubles prior to the incident, leaving many shocked by the violent turn of events.
For Kerr, who now lives in Nashville, the aftermath has been a test of strength and purpose. “We ask for understanding, privacy, and respect as we continue to grieve and seek justice for our mum,” he concluded in the statement—a plea that underscores both his pain and his pursuit of dignity in remembrance.
A Rising Star Amid Personal Loss
Despite his private grief, Callum Kerr’s professional life continues to flourish. His recent appearance in Virgin River Season 6—portraying a young version of Everett Reid, the long-lost father of main character Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge)—earned praise for its emotional depth. Fans of One Piece will soon see him take on a new role as Smoker in the upcoming second season of Netflix’s live-action adaptation.
Beyond acting, Kerr is also forging a path in country music, having released his debut EP, Roots Under Me, earlier this year. The title now resonates more deeply than ever—an artist searching for strength amid uprooted loss.
Remembering Dawn Kerr
While headlines have focused on the shocking nature of the case, those close to Dawn remember her as “vibrant, kind, and full of life.” A mother, partner, and friend, she built a quiet life in rural France after years in the U.K., embracing a slower pace surrounded by nature and community.
Now, her children are determined that her memory not be overshadowed by the violence that claimed her life. Their statement is more than a public declaration—it is a stand for truth, love, and justice.
As the investigation continues, Callum Kerr’s words echo the raw humanity at the center of this tragedy: a son refusing to let his mother’s light be dimmed by the darkness that took her away.
