A 57-year-old school accountant who was at the centre of an inquiry into £28,000 of missing cash shot himself at an airport, an inquest has heard.

David Drage, of Mead Way, Hildenborough, near Tonbridge, was found dead at Gatwick Airport car park on February 22.

He was due to attend a meeting at Michael Hall School in Forest Row, East Sussex, the next day where the results of an audit were to be disclosed.

Deputy West Sussex Coroner Martin Milward recorded a verdict of suicide. An internal inquiry was launched in January after evidence that school fees paid in cash had not been banked.

The inquest heard that the weekend before his death, the father-of-two admitted to his wife, Wendy, that that he had secretly built up personal debts of £42,000 on loans and 11 credit cards.

William Abbott, a chartered accountant responsible for auditing the school’s accounts, told the inquest he intended to produce evidence at the end of the meeting on February 23 that suggested Mr Drage had received some cash intended for the school.

On the day of his death a "subdued" Mr Drage rang Mr Abbott to ask whether he had evidence of money being received and not being banked, and Mr Abbott said he had.

Mr Abbott said he seemed subdued and down.

Mr Drage’s body was found by a cleaner at the airport that evening. His shotgun was found at his feet.

The day after his death, a letter was received at the family home addressed to Mr Drage and written by him in which he apologised to his wife "for losing my life with you."

Mrs Drage said she was unaware of her husband’s debt and there was no suggestion he was suicidal.