Brit couple found ‘murdered’ in south of France at their home as chilling note found beside husband’s body

A MURDER investigation has been opened in southwest France after the dead bodies of a British couple were found at their isolated countryside home.

Friends of the pair – who have not been named – visited after not hearing from them for at least three days in Boudrac, in the French foothills of the Pyrenees, south of Toulouse.

When they arrived at their home – which was due to be turned into a bed and breakfast guest house – on Sunday afternoon they found the lifeless body of a 65-year-old woman.

"She has been dead for some days and had a rope around her neck," said local prosecutor Christophe Amunzateguy.

"Wounds were also found on her body – there were signs of strangulation and blows."

Police arrived later and found the woman's husband, 64, dead in an outhouse.

"He was found hanged, and had left a note," Mr Amunzateguy went on. "The couple had a project to open a guesthouse but it was ended because of financial difficulties."

The note allegedly referred to these financial difficulties.

He confirmed that a murder investigation had been opened, adding that autopsies would be performed on each of the bodies on Tuesday, to try and establish the cause of death.

The couple had bought their house in Boudrac - a tiny village of just 130 people 54 miles southwest of Toulouse - early last year, and wanted to turn it into a bed and breakfast.

French police say they are unable to share any additional details at this stage.

The Sun Online has reached out to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for comment.

A spokesperson said: "Our consular staff are available to support British nationals 24/7.

"We have nothing further to add at this stage."