A murder enquiry has been opened in France after a British retiree was found dead following ‘a very violent beating’.

Identified as John A., 85, the married man lived on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Verlus, near Toulouse, in south-west France.

Two men were seen fleeing his property – where he was alone because his wife was in hospital – last Friday night after stealing his Kia car.

‘Police tried to stop the car because it was being driven erratically,’ an investigating source said.

‘The occupants failed to comply and fled on foot, leading officers to trace the car owner’s address. When they got there, they found the body of the victim, who had clearly received a very violent beating.’

The man was found with serious wounds around his head, and there were signs of a struggle inside the home.

An initial inspection by a doctor pointed to ‘very violent blows’ to the face. An autopsy was due to take place on Monday.

Jean Menvielle, the Mayor of Verlus, said: ‘Everybody in the village is extremely shocked by what has happened.’

He said John A.’s elderly wife had recently become very ill, and so he was alone in their home over the weekend.

Mr Menvielle said the couple had lived in Verlus for around 20 years, following their retirement.

He added: ‘None of us understands why such a popular, friendly man was attacked. This attack makes no sense at all.’

By Monday, a manhunt was still underway for the suspects who were seen fleeing from the car.

A source working for prosecutors leading the enquiry said: ‘We don’t know whether they came to steal or whether there was another motive. A murder investigation has been launched.’

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