Murder probe launched as Doncaster woman is shot dead in France

The woman, who is being named by media outlets in France as 49-year-old Jayne Nicholson, was reportedly shot at a property on the outskirts of Brillac in the south western department of Charente on March 15.

Her partner, who has been named as George Goodayle, 47, has reportedly been remanded in custody after appearing in court in France on Wednesday after being charged with murder.

Local media say that police were called to the property, near to Limoges, where Mrs Nicholson’s body was found, earlier this week after Mr Goodayle reportedly handed himself in.

It is understood that the pair had been in a relationship since June 2025.

The Free Press understands that Mrs Nicholson previously ran a business in Thorpe in Balne known as Croft Farm Stud, where she bred dogs, ran a boarding kennels and also hired out wedding carriages before moving to live in France.

A statement issued by the Public Prosecuter’s Office in Charente and reported by French-English news outlet The Connexion said: “The on-site examination by the forensic pathologist confirmed the presence of two ballistic wounds in the victim’s upper body.”

A hunting rifle was also seized at the couple’s home, according to reports in France.

It added that Mr Goodayle turned himself into police on Monday, March 16 and taken into custody on suspicion of spousal murder, Angoulême’s Public Prosecutor’s office, said.

He is understood to have previously run a building company in the Peterborough area.