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The tragic loss of Dawn Kerr, an East Lothian woman who died in a murder-suicide in France last year, has deeply affected her family. Despite the circumstances of her passing, her daughter Amanda Kerr wishes for her mother to be remembered for the joy and positive influence she brought to those around her, rather than the manner of her death. Amanda has openly shared how her mother’s life and character continue to inspire her as she copes with grief.
Dawn, aged 56, and her husband Andrew Searle, 62, were found dead at their home in Les Pesquies, a small hamlet in south-west France, on 6 February 2025. Prosecutors have noted that the couple had lived for five years in the Aveyron region after previously residing in Musselburgh. Dawn’s roots trace back to Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders, and the couple married in France in 2023. The events surrounding their deaths attracted public attention, significantly impacting Amanda and her family.
In an effort to honor her mother’s memory and find solace, Amanda, a 29-year-old marketing director, has embraced hiking, one of Dawn’s favorite activities. She is preparing for a challenging climb of Mount Etna in Sicily, scheduled for 15-18 May, coinciding with what would have been her mother’s 58th birthday. This expedition also serves a greater purpose as it aims to raise funds for Edinburgh Women’s Aid, a charity supporting victims of domestic violence. Amanda explained, “It helps me feel closer to my mum—she loved hiking. Sometimes I wish she’d chosen an easier hobby to do, but it helps to clear my mind a bit and feel closer to her physically and mentally.”
Amanda described the process of training for the climb—often taking place in the Pentland Hills, Arthur’s Seat, and Blackford Hill in Edinburgh—as a meaningful way to channel her grief into hope and outreach. Despite feeling nervous due to experiencing vertigo during a recent Munro ascent, she remains determined. Amanda expressed that while every day without her mother is difficult, she is striving to transform her loss into something positive that might benefit others facing hardship. She said, “I’m trying to turn that into some energy and to be able to put a bit of positivity into other people’s lives that are here, that I can help and I know she’d be happy, she’d be proud.”
Remembering her mother’s vibrant spirit, Amanda reflected on the warmth Dawn brought into every room she entered. “She was a light in the room, constantly smiling, cheerful,” Amanda recounted. “Her energy was contagious, it was really easy to feel cheerful when she was around.” She emphasized that Dawn’s legacy is one rooted in kindness, selflessness, and a zest for life: “kindness over everything, helping others and try to enjoy every single minute of your life.” Amanda aims to continue hiking and fundraising in her mother’s honor, determined to raise awareness and help others while celebrating the life Dawn lived
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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