British couple 'died violent death' in rural France

A British couple in their sixties were found dead in their home in southwestern France, with prosecutors saying on Friday they died a "violent death".

The bodies of the couple, who had lived in France for years, were on Thursday found in front of their house, located in a hamlet on the outskirts of the town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, prosecutors said.

"Both died a violent death," regional prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller told AFP.

Asked if the deaths could be a case of murder-suicide, the prosecutor said: "It's being considered."

"All leads remain under serious consideration," he said, adding that the investigation was in its early stages.

Regional newspaper La Depeche du Midi, citing its own information, said the woman's body, completely naked, was discovered in front of the house.

The 63-year-old had a head injury, and pieces of jewellery were found scattered around, the newspaper said.

Her husband was found hanging in the house with a gag in his mouth, La Depeche du Midi added.

A forensic pathologist, who arrived by helicopter, carried out an initial examination of the bodies, the newspaper said, adding that no traces of gunshot and stab wounds had been found.

The deaths of the British couple plunged the community in shock.

They were well integrated in the small village of Les Pesquies located on the outskirts of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, a town of 11,000 people, said Mayor Jean-Sebastien Orcibal.

He said their deaths were a "homicide".

On Friday, investigators continued to search the victims' home, and the autopsies were expected to be performed next week, possibly Monday.