An ex-soldier found dead in an adventure playground pleaded with his estranged wife to surround their children "with love at every chance" in a suicide note.

Shane Underdown, of Common View, Tunbridge Wells, was discovered hanged in the wooded area at Aspens Charities - where he worked as a care support worker - by a passerby who was with his partner and three-year-old grandson on September 4.

An inquest at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone heard the 32-year-old was last known to be alive at 7.30am that morning when he finished his shift before his body was discovered a few hours later.

Mr Underdown, a dad-of-two who served in the Princess of Wales Regiment before switching careers in 2013, had struggled to come to terms with his split with wife, Sheree, earlier in the year, the court was told.

Det Sgt Marcus Cameron said Mrs Underdown had reported controlling behaviour throughout the relationship and had looked into getting a non-molestation order.

In the days leading up to his death, Mr Underdown sent his wife texts suggesting he would kill himself and asking for messages to passed on to their children.

Mrs Underdown didn't take them seriously, however, as he had made a number of similar threats before.

After the discovery of his body, two notes were found, including one which contained his next-of-kin's details.

In the other, he stated: "No funeral service please, just ashes scattered in a quiet and peaceful place. That will make me a content man. Lots of love to you all.

"P.S. Please don't let the little ones forget me, surround them with love at every chance."

A post-mortem gave the cause of death as suspension.

Coroner Roger Hatch said: "It's clear to me it was Shane Underdown's intention to take his own life and the appropriate conclusion therefore is that his death was due to suicide."

"His presence is very much missed, by both those he cared for and by his colleagues..." - Aspens Charities

A spokeswoman for the care home where he worked said: “Shane was part of the Aspens family at our site on Cornford Lane for a number of years and his death is a great shock to us all.

“Shane used to talk about how much he loved working here and his passion for his work really shone through.

"There is one person in particular who Shane looked after almost every day for the past five years - that type of loyalty and commitment sums up his dedication.

"His presence is very much missed, by both those he cared for and by his colleagues.

“Our thoughts and prayers are, of course, with his family during this most difficult of times.”

If you need help on an emotional issue you can call the Samaritans free, at any time, on 116 123.

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