It’s a story no family should ever have to live through — and now Virgin River actor Callum Kerr is speaking publicly about the devastating circumstances surrounding his mother’s death, and why he’s taking a stand against the funeral of the man suspected of killing her.
Kerr, 31, and his sister Amanda issued a joint statement this week urging friends and loved ones not to attend the funeral of Andrew Searle, Callum’s stepfather, who French authorities believe murdered their mother, Dawn, before taking his own life earlier this year.
The heartfelt — and heartbreaking — message, shared on Instagram on August 19, comes more than six months after Dawn was found dead at her home in the Aveyron region of southern France.
A Shocking Discovery in Rural France
On February 6, local officials discovered the bodies of Dawn Kerr and Andrew Searle at their countryside home in Les Pesquiés, after neighbors grew concerned when the couple failed to show up for a routine dog walk.
According to French prosecutors, Dawn’s body was found in the garden, bearing multiple blows to the head. Andrew was discovered inside the house. In April, investigators ruled the case a likely murder-suicide, citing no evidence of third-party involvement.
The news devastated the Kerr family, who had celebrated Dawn and Andrew’s wedding just months earlier in September 2023. Callum, the devoted son who had proudly walked his mother down the aisle, now faces the unimaginable reality of losing her in such violent circumstances.
“Our Mother Was Killed” — Callum and Amanda Speak Out
In their Instagram statement, Callum and Amanda addressed both the ongoing investigation and the family’s stance on Andrew’s funeral.
“In the absence of any evidence suggesting third-party involvement in the tragic death of our mother, Dawn Kerr, the prevailing hypothesis remains that of a murder-suicide,” they wrote. “Our mother was killed by multiple blows to the head … There is also no evidence whatsoever of any third party’s involvement at this stage.”
They made their position painfully clear: Dawn’s memory should not be tied to Andrew’s final farewell.
“Please do not share photographs of them together. Please do not attend Andrew’s service if you were a friend of our mother,” the statement continued. “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. We ask for understanding, privacy, and respect as we continue to grieve and seek justice for our mum.”
A Rising Star, Grieving in the Spotlight
For Callum Kerr, the tragedy comes at a pivotal time in his career. The Scottish-born actor is best known for his role as PC George Kiss on the British soap Hollyoaks, but international audiences discovered him this year on Netflix’s Virgin River. In Season 6, Kerr portrayed a younger version of Everett Reid, the estranged father of lead character Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge).
His career is only gaining momentum. Kerr will soon appear as Smoker in the upcoming second season of Netflix’s live-action One Piece. He’s also a country musician, having released his debut EP, Roots Under Me, earlier this year while based in Nashville.
Balancing a rising profile with personal loss is no small task, but Kerr’s candor has struck a chord with fans. Many flooded his Instagram post with messages of support, praising the siblings for their strength and courage in the face of grief.
Love, Loss, and Legacy
The deaths of Dawn and Andrew remain under official review, but the facts so far point to a chilling conclusion. For Kerr and his sister, refusing to allow their mother’s name to be linked to her suspected killer is a form of protection — a way of reclaiming Dawn’s memory from the darkness of tragedy.
It is a reminder that behind the headlines and the Netflix roles is a son still grieving, a daughter still searching for justice, and a family forever changed.
As Kerr’s career continues to ascend, he carries with him not just his talent but also his mother’s legacy — one defined by love, and now by the fight to honor her in the face of unspeakable loss.
