Two Charged in Brutal Murder of British Expat in Rural France

Two men have been charged in connection with the death of 85-year-old retired British wood carver John Agner, who was found severely beaten at his isolated home in southwestern France.

Agner was discovered by police on September 26 after a high-speed chase involving his stolen Kia car. Officers pursued the vehicle at 75 mph in a 50 mph zone in Mont-de-Marsan before it crashed in a dead end. Using the car's registration, police traced it back to Agner's residence in Verlus, a rural hamlet an hour north of Pau, where they made the grim discovery in the early hours of the morning.

Prosecutors revealed on Saturday that one of the men charged is also accused of a second attempted murder that occurred on October 6 in Mont-de-Marsan. In that incident, a woman in her 70s was attacked and smothered but survived. Investigators noted that, similar to Agner's case, the victim's car was stolen and later found by police, highlighting a link between the two crimes.

The main suspect, a 32-year-old man with 21 previous convictions, has been charged with robbery accompanied by violence resulting in death. He is also accused of the attempted murder of the woman. A second man, aged 26, has also been charged in connection with Agner's death. Both men are local residents and are being held in custody awaiting trial. Four other individuals were initially held in connection with the events, but details regarding their involvement and current status have not been released, though they are reportedly on bail.

Neighbors described Agner, who had lived in Verlus for 20 years, as a popular member of the community who assisted other expatriates with repairs. He was known to be active for his age, enjoying cycling and archery, and was trying to improve his French. Some residents suggested that Agner may have inadvertently revealed his financial comfort, potentially attracting unwanted attention. He also reportedly took in paying guests, including cyclists and hikers, though the identities of these individuals remain unknown.

Investigators are examining how the perpetrators arrived at Agner's isolated property, with the nearest neighbor approximately 200 meters away. Residents in the vicinity of where the stolen Kia crashed have been asked to provide any information they may have seen or heard, particularly regarding Agner's car and a BMW that may have also been involved.

Agner, a father of one, is believed to have suffered violent blows to the head. His previous residences include Northumberland, Southampton, and time spent in Vancouver, Canada. His occupation before moving to France remains unclear, with no trace of him found on French or British company records.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities piecing together the events leading up to Agner's death and the subsequent crimes. The motive for the attack and the theft of the car, with seemingly nothing else taken from the property, remains a focus for detectives.