THE body of a man who set himself alight in his car was found in a field.
Mark David Hewitt, 45, whose family is from Malpas, is thought to have taken a petrol can into the car with him before dousing himself in petrol and setting himself on fire.
It is understood the victim left a number of notes explaining his actions and the police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the tragedy, on Saturday, September 15.
A Nook Lane resident said the car was intact at 10am that day but by 12.45pm it was burnt out.
However, there appears to be a five- hour delay before the police were summoned.
It is believed a passer-by alerted the police after taking a closer look at the car and seeing the charred remains of a body.
Police say they first received a report a man was in a car on a field off Nook Lane, Bronington, at 5.15pm.
Officers examined the scene Saturday night and well into Sunday.
A fire crew and emergency tender from Wrexham provided lighting and set up a tent for operations to help the crime scene investigation.
A woman living nearby said: ‘I thought there was a bonfire in the field until police came and told me what had happened.’
Mr Hewitt lived in St Mary’s Street, Whitchurch, and was originally from Malpas.
His parents, Donald and Ann Hewitt, of Well Meadow on the outskirts of Malpas, said they were unable to discuss the tragedy when The Chronicle spoke to them this week.
Mr Hewitt, a voluntary driver for the Malpas community transport scheme, said he had been ordered not go into the details of the incident by the police officers handling the case.
A friend in the village, who did not wish to be named, said bowls player Mr Hewitt was a reformed alcoholic who moved from Malpas a few years ago.
‘I’ve not seen him for quite a while,’ he said. ‘I’ve no idea why he should want to take his own life.’
North Wales Coroner John Hughes adjourned an inquest for further enquiries.
