A MAN whose body was found in a burned-out car in Snowdonia had sent texts just before he died to his ex-fiancée and a colleague with whom he had an affair, an inquest heard today (June 29).

Mark Billington, 50, a graphic designer, of Warstone Lane, Birmingham, said: “I’m sorry” and “I love you” in the messages. 

His destroyed Fiat car was discovered in a lay-by off the A498 at Nant Gwynant last November.

He was identified by DNA. 

Mr Billington’s sister, Karen, said in a statement that he enjoyed hill-walking in Snowdonia and had climbed Snowdon a week before his death.

But his relationship with his fiancée had been “strained.”

The inquest at Caernarfon was told he had “come clean” to his boss about the affair on the day of his death and feared he might lose his job.  

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Acting north west Wales senior coroner, Katie Sutherland, said Mr Billington had driven from his home on the day of the tragedy.

There was evidence he had bought fuel containers from a garage, and of a massive explosion in the car.

Dylan Clarke told the coroner: “I heard a loud bang which felt like it shook the whole valley.”

He drove to where he could see smoke.

“A vehicle was in a big ball of flames,” Mr Clarke said.

The coroner recorded a conclusion of suicide.

She said: “Mark was suffering with his mental health and there were some difficulties faced by him in his personal life.”