A 70-year-old woman has been placed under formal investigation in connection with the fatal stabbing of a British-South African mother of four in southwestern France last year.
Karen Carter, 65, was discovered with stab wounds near her vehicle in the Dordogne village of Trémolat by a friend in April 2024. She had lived in the community for over a decade and managed two holiday rental properties.
According to prosecutors, the suspect was initially detained in 2025 during preliminary inquiries before being released. In a statement issued Wednesday, investigating judge Jacques-Edouard Andrault confirmed that the judicial inquiry opened on May 7, 2025, had yielded sufficient grounds to formally charge the woman.
Under French law, being placed under formal investigation signifies that an examining magistrate has determined there is enough evidence to potentially proceed to trial.
At the time of the killing, Ms. Carter’s husband, Alan, recounted learning of her death through a cousin who had seen a post on a local community Facebook page. Official confirmation came only after his assistant contacted local police.
Describing his wife as an outgoing, generous person who “wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Mr. Carter said her death has been “traumatic” for the family.
“I’m an introvert, and she’s the exact opposite. She’s an extrovert, she loves people, she loves to have fun. People love her, she has a good heart,” he said. “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.”