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Husband of British woman, 65, 'murdered' in France in 'frenzied attack' feels 'betrayed' after police discovered her affair

By Shannon Cook

The husband of a British woman, 65, who was allegedly 'murdered' in France says he feels 'betrayed' after police uncovered her affair.

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Expat Karen Carter was found dead with multiple 'deep' stab wounds outside her property in the usually quaint village of Trémolat, east of Bordeaux.

She was reportedly found dead last Tuesday - following emergency services' attempts to save her life.

Ms Carter, who was a retired teacher, suffered "cardio-respiratory arrest".

A woman, 69, has been arrested by French police in connection with the 'murder'.

Ms Carter's husband, Alan Carter, found out about his wife's death during a phone call he received while he was in the UK.

An autopsy revealed Ms Carter suffered from eight serious wounds, with some on her chest, forearm and abdomen.

She died "by haemorrhage following a wound to the aorta".

The autopsy added: "All the wounds suggest the victim was attempting to defend herself from a frenzied attack."

Read more: Woman, 69, arrested over murder of British mum-of-four found dead outside French home ‘covered in stab wounds’

Read more: Girlfriend of Superbikes rider who died in horror crash suffers double tragedy as previous boyfriend also killed in motorcycle race nine years ago

Karen Carter
Karen Carter. Picture: Facebook

'Complete betrayal'

Mr Carter has revealed police investigating his late wife's death had discovered she was allegedly having an affair with retired 74-year-old French businessman Jean-François Guerrier, reported The Times.

Mr Carter said he already suspected his wife's infidelity.

He told The Times that police had uncovered "a relationship I did not want to believe" and that he's been left feeling "complete betrayal".

He says he had asked his wife about Mr Guerrier but Ms Carter had denied any romantic connection, telling Mr Carter and her friends there was "nothing in it".

Ms Carter had reportedly set up a holiday business in the French village around a decade ago.

She reportedly met Mr Guerrier while volunteering at a local eatery.

Alan explained: "It was so obvious that Jean-François had an affection for Karen, and I feel he took advantage of the time we were spending apart."

"I felt the Café Village attracted a lonely bunch of people who had nothing else to throw their lives into. I felt they were having a strong influence on Karen, and she really did not know that much about them."

Ms Carter's guest houses were frequently used by guests from the UK, as the area was hugely popular with British tourists.
Ms Carter's guest houses were frequently used by guests from the UK, as the area was hugely popular with British tourists. Picture: Facebook

The prosecutor leading the investigation said it was focused “on people likely to have had something against the victim, or against the couple that she had formed”.

Mr Guerrier discovered Ms Carter in her driveway as she lay dying from multiple stab wounds.

The pair had earlier spent the evening together at a wine-tasting event.

Police interviewed Mr Guerrier but he was later released, with the police saying there was no reason to suspect him.