A years-long French homicide investigation has reached a critical milestone, with a 70-year-old local woman placed under formal investigation in the 2025 stabbing death of Karen Carter, a 65-year-old British-South African mother of four who built a new life as a small business owner in rural southwest France.
Carter had resided in the quiet Dordogne village of Trémolat for more than 10 years, where she and her family ran two popular holiday rental properties catering to tourists drawn to the region’s scenic countryside. In April 2025, a close friend made the horrifying discovery of Carter’s body near her parked vehicle, which bore clear evidence of multiple stab wounds.
Initial court proceedings began shortly after the killing: the 70-year-old suspect was first taken into police custody in 2025 as part of preliminary fact-finding work, before investigators released her pending further evidence gathering. On Wednesday, lead investigating judge Jacques-Edouard Andrault confirmed in an official statement that the evidence compiled since the formal judicial inquiry opened on May 7, 2025, has resulted in formal charges being filed against the woman.
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, Carter’s husband Alan spoke publicly about the chaotic, heartbreaking way he learned of his wife’s death. He told reporters he first received an unofficial heads-up from a cousin, who spotted news of the killing posted to a local community Facebook group. It was only after his personal assistant contacted local French law enforcement that he received official confirmation of the tragedy.
Alan Carter, who described himself as an introvert, painted a warm portrait of his late wife as his total opposite: a vivacious, big-hearted extrovert who was beloved across the small village. “She wouldn’t hurt a fly,” 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.” He added that the sudden, violent death has left his entire family reeling from trauma, a blow from which they have yet to recover.
As of Wednesday, no further details about the suspected motive for the attack have been released by investigating officials.