Arrest in the murder of British-South African woman in French village
· The South African
French authorities have formally placed a 70-year-old woman under investigation in connection with the fatal stabbing of British-South African mother-of-four Karen Carter in the Dordogne region of France last year.
According to the BBC, the development marks a significant step in the ongoing murder investigation into the death of the 65-year-old, who had lived in the picturesque village of Trémolat for more than a decade.
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Investigation moves forward
According to prosecutors, the woman was initially taken into police custody in 2025 as part of preliminary investigations before being released.
On Wednesday, investigating judge Jacques-Edouard Andrault confirmed that further inquiries had led to formal legal action.
“The investigations conducted as part of the judicial inquiry opened on 7 May, 2025, have led the investigating judge to formally charge her,” he said in a statement.
Under French law, being placed under formal investigation does not amount to a finding of guilt. Instead, it means an investigating judge believes there is sufficient evidence to continue investigating and ultimately decide whether the case should proceed to trial.
Karen Carter found fatally stabbed
Karen Carter was discovered near her vehicle with stab wounds in April 2025 by a friend in Trémolat, where she managed two holiday rental properties.
Her death shocked the quiet Dordogne community, where she had built a life after relocating from South Africa.
Her husband, Alan Carter, previously said he first learned of her death after a relative spotted reports on a local community Facebook page.
The news was later confirmed by French police.
Husband pays tribute
Speaking after her death, Alan Carter described his wife as a kind-hearted, outgoing person who was loved by everyone who knew her.
“I’m an introvert, and she’s the exact opposite,” he said.
“She’s an extrovert, she loves people, she loves to have fun. People love her, she has a good heart.
“She’s the one who would bring home the lost dog, or cat, or whatever. She’s that sort of person. Everyone liked her. That’s why I married her. She’s just lovely.”
The couple hail from East London. Both attended Rhodes University.
French investigators have not released further details about the evidence in the case as the judicial inquiry continues.
Personal life
Local reports have long suggested the killing may have been linked to tensions surrounding Karen Carter’s personal life.
She had reportedly been preparing to divorce her husband, Alan Carter, and was in a relationship with 75‑year‑old retired executive Jean‑François Guerrier, who lived nearby.
Alan Carter, according to AFP, said that he and his wife were not divorcing, but ‘going through a difficult period’.
Those said to be upset by the relationship included Marie‑Laure Autefort, now 70, another neighbour.
Autefort’s brother, Philippe Monribot, acknowledged she had been in love with Guerrier and distressed by his affair with Karen Carter, but insisted she was incapable of violence.
Both Jean‑François Guerrier and Alan Carter have denied any involvement and continue to cooperate with investigators.
Guerrier discovered Carter’s body after a wine‑tasting event he had hosted earlier that day. He told police he became concerned when she failed to call him after arriving home.
DNA samples were taken from Autefort, Guerrier and around 15 guests who attended the wine‑tasting, but none matched forensic evidence found at the scene.
The only witness was Carter’s puppy, Haku, who remained inside her car.