British couple 'died violent death' in rural France

VILLEFRANCHE-DE-ROUERGUE: 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, adding however he could not yet provide further details.

"All leads are being examined", he said, adding that the investigation was in its early stages.

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.