A Talybont man who was found dead in his van had had a discussion with his wife over a message on his phone from another woman and had also expressed financial concerns, an inquest has heard.

David Llewelyn Evans, 51, was found by family members in a field at his farm near Tregaron, after they had grown concerned when Mr Evans had not returned home on 13 August.

Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton heard that Mr Evans had died of carbon monoxide poisoning and that police had found a note Mr Evans had written to his family.

Mr Brunton heard that Mr Evans had argued with his wife Jennifer the day before, after she asked him about a message he had received on his phone. Mr Evans claimed a woman had been messaging him and would not leave him alone.

Mrs Evans told the inquest that the discussion had not been heated, but that she had told family members that there had been a disagreement. She did not think there was a major issue.

However, Mary Bland, the woman who had met with Mr Evans several times, said their relationship was purely about farm work. Mrs Bland had initially met Mr Evans while helping him with lambing work on his farm, the hearing was told.

Mrs Bland insisted she had not thought that their relationship had caused any issues between Mr and Mrs Evans.

She said that the last time she had met Mr Evans he had seemed preoccupied and concerned.

She said he had been due to meet a second estate agent to try and sell his Tregaron farm, saying that he wanted to sell it quickly as it was “a weight on his shoulders”.

Mrs Evans told Mr Brunton that she was not aware of any financial difficulties.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Brunton said he could not say whether concerns over finances or the argument with his wife had led to Mr Evans deciding to take his own life.

But he said that he was satisfied that Mr Evans had “clearly intended to meet that end”.

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