For Karen Carter, the tranquil hills of the Dordogne offered the promise of a fresh start.
After decades in a complicated marriage, the 65-year-old British mother of four was ready to build a life of her own in a picturesque French village.
She had just picked up a puppy, opened a local bank account, and was about to buy a small cottage for herself.
It was her chance at a new beginning.
But within hours of telling a close friend about her plans and her decision to ask her husband for a divorce, Karen was found brutally murdered—stabbed eight times just outside the 250-year-old home she had shared with her husband, Alan.
Her dream of independence ended in a pool of blood on the gravel driveway, and the peaceful village of Trémolat has been reeling ever since.
A Quiet Night Turns Deadly
On the evening of April 29—just two days after her 65th birthday—Karen had attended a wine-tasting gathering at the home of Jean-François Guerrier, a local man she had grown close to.
Around 10 p.m., she returned to her house, completely unaware that someone was hiding in the shadows.
As she parked her car, the attacker struck.
The assault was fast, furious, and disturbingly calculated.
Her handbag and her young dog, Haku, were still in the car when Guerrier arrived shortly after and found her dying.
Despite his attempts to save her, Karen was gone by the time emergency services arrived.
A Village Gripped by Fear
Trémolat is the kind of place where crime is almost unheard of.
With a population of just 600 and a weekly British-style fish-and-chip van, it’s a favorite among expats looking for peace. Locals rarely lock their doors.
But now, fear has settled over the village like a thick fog.
The fact that Karen’s killer remains at large has shaken residents to their core.
Neighbours are stunned by the brutality of the attack.
One British woman told the press that the violence used made it clear the killer knew exactly how to end a life.
An autopsy confirmed as much: one of the eight stab wounds pierced Karen’s aorta; others damaged her liver, kidney, and even nearly severed her arm.
The murder weapon hasn’t been found.
Was It a Love Triangle—or Something More?
Karen had told close friend Beverley Needham just the day before her death that she had served her husband divorce papers.
She also confided in her about the new cottage she was planning to buy.
And yet, she remained discreet—perhaps even secretive—about her relationship with Guerrier.
Some villagers have whispered about a possible love triangle involving Guerrier and another local woman, Marie-Laure Autefort.
She was reportedly infatuated with Guerrier and had made no secret of her feelings.
Autefort was even briefly taken into custody for questioning but later released with an alibi.
Guerrier, a 74-year-old retired businessman who had lived in the UK and worked for Fujitsu, was also questioned but is not considered a suspect.
Prosecutors say the focus is now on individuals who may have held a grudge against Karen—or against her budding relationship with Guerrier.
Questions, Speculation, and Heartache
Marie-Laure’s brother, Philippe Monribot, has been outspoken in defending his sister.
He insists she couldn’t have committed such a violent act.
“She’s scared of the dark,” he said.
“She’s not capable of this.”
According to him, her heartbreak over Guerrier’s attention shifting to Karen might have made her an emotional target for suspicion, but not a murderer.
Meanwhile, Beverley Needham doubts there was anything romantic between Guerrier and Marie-Laure.
She believes Guerrier acted as a helper and confidant to Karen, especially during her transition away from her marriage.
Still, she admits Karen had asked her not to mention how often she was seeing Guerrier—perhaps out of concern for local gossip or fear of upsetting her husband.
A Husband Left Reeling
Dr. Alan Carter, Karen’s husband and a marine biologist living in South Africa, is still processing the shock.
He admits he suspected an affair between Karen and Guerrier but had always been told otherwise.
Now, with what’s come out during the investigation, he says he feels betrayed.
He flew to Trémolat shortly after the murder and has been focusing on the ongoing investigation.
The couple, who met in South Africa and spent many years together, had grown apart in recent years. While Karen was building a life in France, Alan stayed mostly in South Africa.
Their four adult children now live in Australia, the UK, and the U.S.
A Life Rebuilt—And Stolen
Karen’s story is one of resilience. After surviving breast cancer, she embraced life in the French countryside.
She was an active part of the community, volunteered at a local café, and had even toured South Africa recently with the village’s over-50s women’s football team.
Her friend Beverley recalled a conversation just before Karen’s death in which she said Alan didn’t want to sign the divorce papers.
Karen had made up her mind to move on—and was laying the groundwork for a new chapter.
But that chapter was never written.
A Killer Still Out There
With no arrests and no clear motive confirmed, fear and frustration are mounting.
Investigators have declared the killing premeditated—an unusual public statement in France, where police typically stay tight-lipped during open cases.
That declaration has only fueled speculation.
Guerrier, who is said to be in deep shock, has taken in Haku, the puppy he helped Karen choose.
Meanwhile, Karen’s loved ones, her village, and her family are left grappling with grief—and with the terrifying realization that her killer may still be hiding among them.