A man who killed himself and two of his children on Father's Day was going through a break-up with his wife, it emerged yesterday.
A man who killed himself and two of his children on Father's Day was going through a break-up with his wife, it emerged yesterday.
Karate expert Brian Philcox, 52, had been in touch with Fathers 4 Justice before driving to a remote beauty spot in North Wales to kill himself, seven-year-old daughter Amy and three-year-old son Owen.
All three were found dead in his Land Rover Freelander near Llanrwst on Sunday.
Police said yesterday they died from carbon monoxide poisoning through inhaling car exhaust fumes and confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
It is not yet known when Mr Philcox took the children from their mother, Evelyn - known locally as Lynn - or what sparked the killings.
Police described her as "devastated". She is being comforted by family and friends.
Army bomb squad experts were called to the family home in Runcorn, Cheshire, on Sunday after the discovery of a suspect device.
Residents were evacuated from the area but the device was later determined to be a hoax.
A second suspect package was sent to a "family member" police said, and this too was removed by explosives experts and taken to waste ground for examination.
Many neighbours in Runcorn were too distressed to speak yesterday about the events of the weekend.
However, one neighbour confirmed Mr Philcox had been involved in a bitter dispute with his wife who is also from the Runcorn area.
Teddy bears and flowers were tied to railings outside the family home, a single- storey terrace house on the Windmill Hill estate.
One card tied to the railings had a child's drawing, of Lynn, Amy and Owen. Tied to flowers, one card said: "Good night little angels."
Another card read: "No words can express the sympathy or the pain of loss of your little angels.
"Their little smiles will shine forever."
A single police officer stood guard outside but other police were seen close to another house believed to be that of relatives of the victims.
Mr Philcox, originally from the Speke area of Liverpool, had been practising karate for more than 30 years, reaching sixth dan black belt.
He also held various senior positions within martial arts organisations in the UK.
He was named Man of the Year in 2005 in awards for local worthy citizens in Runcorn.
This is understood to be in recognition for his charity work following the death of his first wife Jan.
Mr Philcox is believed to have other children with other partners.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jones of North Wales Police said officers were still trying to confirm Mr Philcox's last movements with his children.
DCI Jones appealed to anyone who saw a light blue Land Rover between 7pm on Friday evening and just before 3pm on Sunday to contact North Wales Police.
"The investigation into the incident continues," he said.
"Detectives are trying to establish a timeline of events which occurred before the three were found in the Land Rover on an unclassified road just off the A470 between Maenan and Tal-y-Cafn shortly before 3pm on Sunday."
