Police search home of slain family

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ANNECY, France, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- French and British police Saturday began searching the Surrey, England, home of a man shot dead with his wife and mother-in-law in the French Alps.

Saad al-Hilli, an Iraqi-born engineer, along with his wife, Iqbal, and his 74-year old mother-in-law were found fatally shot inside their car at Chevaline, near Lake Annecy, Wednesday. A biker who apparently came across the shooting was also found dead at the scene.

The family's 7-year-old daughter, Zainab, was shot in the shoulder and her skull was fractured during the incident. She was in an induced coma at a French hospital.

Prosecutors said they were waiting for medical clearance to talk to Zainab, Radio France Internationale reported.

A 4-year old, Zeena, escaped injured by hiding under her mother's skirt. She wasn't found until 8 hours after police cordoned off the crime scene.

Police said the investigation of the family's home may take a while, The Daily Telegraph reported. French and British police met earlier to discuss an investigation strategy.

Saad al-Hilli's brother, Zaid, went to a police station in Surrey Friday to dismiss media reports that he and his brother had been feuding about money.

"We have had information about the brother from British police sources ... there apparently is a conflict about money between himself and his brother," said prosecutor Eric Maillaud. "That brother in the U.K. spontaneously went to the police authorities and said, 'I have no conflict, no feud with my brother, no disagreement'. What's going to be very important will be to listen to this brother."