A British pensioner found dead in rural France with “very violent facial injuries” has been named as John Agner, 85. A 60-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder.
Mr Agner was found on Friday night in the garden of his isolated house on the outskirts of the village of Verlus, west of Toulouse. He had been persistently beaten around the head, according to one investigator.
Suspect in custody
Prosecutors have opened a murder investigation and confirmed that “one man is in custody”. The suspect is thought to have been part of a gang of four who escaped Mr Agner’s house in his stolen car.
The Ford Ka was involved in a 20-minute police chase, failing to stop while travelling at 120kmph (74mph) in a 50kmph zone at around 2.30am on Saturday at nearby Mont-de-Marsan. When the vehicle turned down a dead end, four men got out and fled on foot, according to a police source.
The source added: “The car’s owner was traced, and when police arrived at the scene, the deceased’s body was found.” The suspect was caught nearby and transferred to the city of Agen, where prosecutors are leading the enquiry.
Village mayor speaks
Jean Menvielle, the mayor of Verlus, said Mr Agner was “living alone while his wife was in hospital”. He added: “His death could have gone unnoticed for a very long time if the car hadn’t been stopped.”
Mr Menvielle said police had found no signs of a struggle inside the house, where the front door was left open. He said: “Everything was in order, everything was still there, nothing was stolen – his papers, his wallet, his musical instruments.”
Victim’s life and career
Mr Agner had worked as a specialist wood carver in Southampton before retiring to France with his wife. In 2003, he was commissioned to produce decorative carvings for the £5m conversion of Doxford Hall in Northumberland into a luxury hotel.
Mr Agner, who was deeply religious, was a member of the Confraternity of St James, a British pilgrims’ organisation. He listed his interests as walking historical pilgrimage routes across Europe, particularly in France and Spain. His wife was suffering from impaired cognition and was due to return home from hospital in the coming days.
The murder inquiry is being supported by officers from the investigations section of the Toulouse gendarmerie. The investigation continues.
