This is the millionaire British expat who was shot dead outside his 300-acre French estate having dedicated his life to turning it into a dream home.
David Daniels, 72, was allegedly shot dead by elderly French farmer Jean Moreau after a feud over the appearance of his farm on the estate outside the village of Edon, western France.
Mr Daniels, a businessman who made his fortune selling kitchenware to top restaurants, bought the estate in the village of Edon in 1997 but moved there full time in 2015.
He joined the village heritage association, attended a meeting about increasing tourist visits and was said to be enthusiastic about creating a ‘postcard’ view from his window.
But the farm where Mr Moreau had lived for 51 years would not be appearing on any postcards.
David Daniels (pictured) wanted his 300-acre estate to look like a ‘postcard’ – but was allegedly killed by a traditional farmer who ruined his view, it has been claimed
Mr Daniels, 72, died of his injuries in his car as his wife Gay, 77, drove him to the nearest doctor after he was shot at his home near the small village of Édon in south west France. Pictured: Mr Daniels’ home
It was littered with old tractor tires, cattle feed and the detritus of agriculture, according to neighbours.
Mr Daniels had argued with Mr Moreau and this allegedly came to a head when he farmer shot him dead outside his estate this week.
Mr Daniels died of his injuries in his car as his wife Gay, 77, drove him to the nearest doctor.
The former executive’s tenant, named locally as Pascal Moreau, 48, and his father Jean, 84, had both been helping police with their inquiries after a murder investigation was opened.
After hearings with magistrates yesterday Jean Moreau was charged with ‘murder committed with premeditation or ambush’ and was remanded in custody. His son was released last night and has not been charged over the shooting.
French newspaper Charente Libre printed a photo yesterday purporting to show Mr Daniels.
This morning, it emerged that Mr Daniels had been involved in a land row with his neighbours and had become increasingly frustrated with them since moving there permanently three years ago.
The Moreau family are believed to have been tenants on the farm for 51 years and used the land for cattle farming and growing crops, The Times reports.
But Mr Daniels, who originally brought the property as a second home in 1997, is said to have been displeased by the view from his house.
According to Adam Sage writing for The Times, the brother and son of the tenants, Roland Moreau said Mr Daniels had wanted a ‘picture postcard’ scene – but was instead confronted with ‘an ordinary farm and he didn’t like that’.
He added that Mr Daniels wanted the farm ‘tidied up’, did not want cattle on the farm and claimed that the former executive wanted Pascal and Jean ‘out’.
A feud then broke out between the two parties, but Roland Moreau suggested there ‘could have been other conflicts with other people too’ – apparently casting doubts that the row involving his relatives had led to Mr Daniels’ death.
David Daniels’ house in Edon, where he was shot – allegedly by a tenant over a land row
Mr Daniels, an American who took British citizenship, and his 77-year-old wife, were registered to a home in central London from 1999 to 2013, The Times reports, adding that the house was sold for £3.4million in 2014.
Locals in Edon, in the Charente region of West France, had earlier said the men had been involved in a long-running dispute over the upkeep of land. The Daniels own a large area of farmland, with a forest, cows and crops.
Mr Daniels, who locals said had made his money selling industrial kitchen equipment to restaurants, had been taking out the rubbish when he was shot.
The gunman was hiding in a tree opposite the farmhouse gates, waiting for Mr Daniels to bring out the bin bag. There is CCTV outside the house, meaning the attack may have been caught on camera.
Pascal – described by locals as a keen hunter – lives with his father in a farmhouse adjoining the Daniels’ home. The men are said to have handed themselves in to the police. Mr Daniels, a classic car enthusiast, had lived in France for 25 years. He is said to have had an active business career in the UK before he moved.
Local mayor Patrice Petit said he was well-known and well-liked for his ‘kindness, open mindedness and love of heritage’.
Hidden: The spot where the gunman lay in wait for British farmer David Daniels in Edon
Mr Daniels had competed in the Circuit des Remparts vintage race in nearby Angouleme, and was driving in Pau in the Pyrenees at the weekend before he was shot on Tuesday afternoon.
Edon, home to just 270 people, is in an area of France popular with British expats.
Villagers have spoken of their shock after the murder.
Marie Lacellerie, owner of Au Petit Creux, a restaurant in Edon told The Local: ‘It’s a tragedy. He’d been here a long time and was known by everyone. He was a straightforward, good guy.’
Mayor Patrice Petit said Mr Daniels’ death ‘was a big loss to the village.’
He added: ‘He was a man I knew very well, a man much appreciated in the commune where he had lived for a long time.’
Pascal was described by villagers as a ‘calm and discreet’ man who rarely spoke to other people.
Police said the dispute related to the lease of the land with both having a ‘different vision of what was to become of the farm’.
According to The Local, a hunting rifle was confiscated by police at the Pascal and Jean Moreau’s property.
More than 20 gendarmes are involved in the investigation. Jean-David Cavaille, state prosecutor, said the investigation had been opened as an ‘assassination, a murder with premeditation’ pending further inquiries, including the results of a post-mortem examination.
Mr Daniels was pronounced dead in Dignac, where his wife had driven him, reports said.
A UK Government spokesman said: ‘Our staff are assisting the family of a British man following his death in France, and are in contact with the gendarmerie.’