By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-29 08:00:58 | Updated at 2026-09-29 09:03:11
1 hour ago
A manhunt has been launched after a British pensioner was found dead at his isolated home in south-western France because he suffered “very violent blows” to the face.
John Agner, 85, was discovered in his garden near Verlus - a village of around 120 people in western Gers - in the early hours of Saturday.
A forensic doctor found Mr Agner had suffered “very violent blows” to the face at his secluded home close to the border with the Landes region, the deputy prosecutor’s office in Auch told regional newspaper La Dépêche du Midi.
They added: “This is likely the cause of death, but the postmortem will confirm this.”
The discovery was made after Mr Agner’s stolen Kia was involved in a police chase near Mont-de-Marsan at about 2.30am.
The car reportedly travelled at 120kph (74mph) in a 50kph zone, before turning into a dead end.
Four men abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, according to a local police source.
One suspect, aged 60, was arrested nearby and initially held in Mont-de-Marsan before being transferred to Agen. Three others remain at large.
John Agner, 85, was discovered in his garden near Verlus – a village of around 120 people in western Gers
Jean Menvielle, the mayor of Verlus, told The Telegraph: “Police took down the number plate and rang our local police station to arrest the owner. But when officers arrived at his house, they found his dead body in the garden.
“If they hadn’t been up to no good with the car, given that he was a man who lived alone and never saw anyone, his death could have gone unnoticed a long time.”
Mr Menvielle said investigators believed the killing probably occurred on Friday afternoon or evening. He said there were no signs of a struggle inside the house, where the door had been left open.
He continued: “Everything’s in order, everything’s still there, nothing’s been stolen – his papers, his wallet, his musical instruments – nothing’s been touched at all.”
"We’re in shock because it’s a small village in the French countryside, far from any built-up areas. This is la France profonde. It’s 200km (124 miles) from Toulouse, 200km from Bordeaux, 50km from Mont-de-Marsan, 50km from Pau.
“We just didn’t expect this to happen in a place like ours. There’s never even been a burglary in the area. Ever.”
The deputy prosecutor told La Dépêche: “We do not know whether they came to steal or whether there was another motive, all of this is under investigation.”
Investigators have yet to establish whether Mr Agner was struck with an object, or with fists. A search of his home on Saturday evening reportedly found no decisive evidence.
A search of his home by French police on Saturday evening reportedly found no decisive evidence as to the circumstances
REUTERS FILE PIC
Mr Agner had lived in Verlus for about 20 years, and was described by the mayor as a discreet and kind man who spoke little French.
Mr Menvielle said: “We knew very little about him,” adding Mr Agner was an artist who enjoyed making music, drawing and painting.
One resident told local media: “He was a decent man. I’d seen him at a few village festivals. He was lovely. He led a quiet life and did a bit of cycling.”
The investigation has been transferred to the criminal division of the Agen prosecutor’s office, with Toulouse gendarmes and units from Gers and other regions involved.
Mr Agner had longstanding connections to France. He joined the Confraternity of St James in Southampton in 1995 and was described in a 2003 newspaper report as a specialist wood carver from Southampton.
