A French neighbor has been formally charged with the premeditated murder of British expat Karen Carter, who was fatally stabbed at her Dordogne home in April 2025. The 70-year-old suspect, Marie-Laure Autefort, was charged on July 2, more than a year after the initial investigation into the 65-year-old victim's death.
Investigators stated that "significant holes" were discovered in Autefort's alibi, which had initially appeared credible. At the time of Carter's murder, Autefort was questioned by authorities but released after checks related to her whereabouts. Her alibi reportedly involved caring for others in the local village of Trémolat. Investigators noted her background as a respected care worker with no criminal record, and her perceived lack of physical strength for such a violent crime, as reasons for her initial release.
However, over the subsequent 15 months, police re-examined her account, uncovering inconsistencies that led to her arrest and charging. "The inconsistencies were exposed after her story was checked out by police, and this took a long time," an investigative source told the Daily Mail.
Karen Carter was found stabbed eight times outside the guesthouse she operated in Trémolat. At the time of her death, Carter was in the process of divorcing her husband, Alan Carter, and was romantically involved with Jean-François Guerrier, a retired executive. Reports suggest that Autefort harbored strong, unrequited feelings for Guerrier, even divorcing her husband of several decades after falling in love with him the previous year. Guerrier himself had alerted police after finding Carter's body, having gone to her home when she failed to call him as arranged.
Autefort, who lives a short distance from Carter's property, has previously denied any involvement in the stabbing. Her brother, Philippe Monribot, confirmed her romantic interest in Guerrier and her distress over his relationship with Carter, but expressed disbelief that she would commit murder.
Alan Carter, the victim's husband, who resides in South Africa, had been subject to some suspicion following his wife's death. He expressed relief at the progress in the case, stating, "We are relieved that, after more than a year, the investigation has progressed to the formal investigation of an individual believed to be responsible for the death of our beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, Karen." He also conveyed gratitude to the investigators and the family's lawyer, Maître Reda Hammouche.
Hammouche issued a statement on behalf of the Carter family, acknowledging the indictment as a significant step forward. "While this [indictment] does not, of course, prejudge the outcome of the proceedings or the guilt of the person concerned, it nevertheless represents a significant step forward in the course of justice," he said. The family has requested privacy as the judicial process continues.
The public prosecutor of Périgueux, Jacques-Edouard Andrault, confirmed that Autefort was formally charged with premeditated murder on July 2 and is currently under judicial supervision due to her age, which restricts her from staying in Trémolat. The judicial inquiry remains ongoing.