A link between the murder of the Al-Hilli family from Claygate and three people in Switzerland has been ruled out by authorities.

It was reported last week that the Swiss shooting had “strong similarities” to the murders of three members of the Al-Hilli family in September 2012.

Oaken Lane resident Saad Al-Hilli, 50, his wife Iqbal, 47, her mother Suhaila al-Allaf, 74, and French cyclist Sylvian Mollier, 45, were shot in the head several times by a gunman on September 5, 2012.

The two Al-Hilli daughters, aged four and seven, survived the attack.

Prosecutors now believe the Swiss gunman was nowhere near Annecy when the Al-Hilli’s were murdered.

Prosecutors said: “In light of the facts and the killer’s explanations, there does not seem to be any link between the two cases.

“Exchanges have taken place, but there is now no reason to go further.”

A motorcyclist spotted leaving the scene minutes before cyclist Brett Martin, a British ex-RAF serviceman, found the bodies, is now the prime suspect for the killings of the Al-Hilli family.

French Police confirmed that, despite numerous appeals, neither the motorcycle nor its rider had been traced.

Mr Martin told French police the person on the motorcycle was wearing a full-face white helmet, black clothes and the motorcycle may have had a white engine. Another witness backed up Mr Martin’s description.

Surrey Police are continuing to assist the French authorities with their ongoing investigation.