A MAN who was missing for more than 10 years before his body was discovered in a North Wales woodland probably killed himself “because he felt he had no future."

Enrico Jacovelli was foraging for mushrooms in dense woodland near his home in Dolgarrog, in the Conwy Valley, on September 25, 2023, when he spotted a bottle in the undergrowth.

On further investigation he found some clothing and parts of a human skeleton.

Dental records revealed that the body was that of 63-year-old Anthony Lewis, who went missing from his home in Woodsome Drive, Ellesmere Port, on July 5, 2012.

A massive search operation was launched after his BMW car was found at Trefriw, near Llanrwst, a week later, but despite the involvement of a police helicopter, search dogs and mountain rescue teams there was no trace of him.

At an inquest in Ruthin Kate Robertson, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, read a statement from Mr Lewis’s daughter Samantha in which she said he had worked in the petro-chemical industry for many years before moving to live in Italy.

He returned to Britain when his marriage broke down and lived with his mother because he couldn’t afford to buy or rent a property.

Miss Lewis said he became withdrawn after failing to find work, was estranged from his children and did not have a social circle.

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“He felt that he was in an impossible position and had no future,” she said.

Two empty wine bottles and a gas canister were found near his body and Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers said that although it was impossible to carry out toxicology tests it was likely that he was intoxicated before deliberately inhaling gas from the canister.

He gave the cause of death as asphyxia due to inhalation of the gas.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Ms Robertson said there was an element of pre-planning in what had occurred.

She said the experience must have been traumatic for his family, but added: “Hopefully there will be an element of comfort in the fact that he has been found.”

Anyone struggling with their mental health can call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.