John Agner, an 85-year-old British pensioner, was found dead at his home in Verlus, France, on Saturday morning. Police discovered his body in the front garden after pursuing a stolen car linked to him. The car was chased for 20 minutes at high speeds before the suspects fled on foot. Authorities have arrested a 60-year-old man and are searching for three additional suspects. Prosecutors have opened a murder investigation following the incident, which has shocked the small community of Verlus, located an hour north of Pau in rural southwest France.
Agner had lived alone in the area since July, when his wife was hospitalized. Neighbors described him as a kind individual who helped others in the community. They expressed confusion over the motive for the attack, noting that nothing of value appeared to have been taken from his home, except for his car. One neighbor suggested that Agner may have inadvertently revealed his financial situation to others, which could have attracted unwanted attention.
Investigators are looking into how the suspects arrived in the isolated hamlet, where the nearest neighbor is 200 meters away. Agner had a history of taking in paying guests, which some neighbors found concerning. The police have stated that the attack likely occurred late on Friday night, and the investigation is ongoing. The mayor of Verlus remarked on the rarity of such violence in the area, emphasizing the community's shock at the incident.