MYSTERY surrounds the death of a man whose body was found decomposed in a park months after he went missing.

Sebastien Smiltneek disappeared on May 10 last year and the remains of his body were found in Leverhulme Park by conservationists on September 24.

At Bolton Coroners' Court an open conclusion was recorded because the level of decomposition of the body meant a medical cause of death could not be established.

The inquest into Mr Smiltneek's death heard how he had long standing mental health problems and his former partner Suzanne Stewart described him as a ‘manic depressive’.

The court also heard that Mr Smiltneek was arrested in August 2016 over ‘inappropriate images’ found on a computer and he had been due to appear in court.

Police launched a large search following Mr Smiltneek's disappearance and in September human remains were found by members of Bolton North East Wildlife Trail carrying out work in Leverhulme Park.

Home Office pathologist Dr Philip Lumb told the inquest that the body was ‘extensively decomposed’ but chemical used in anti-freeze was found in his right thigh muscle.

Ms Stewart said in April last year Mr Smiltneek had been admitted to hospital after drinking the substance while self-harming.

Dr Lumb added that decomposition meant it was not possible to say how or when the former security guard died.

However, Mrs Stewart said she believes he died on May 10, after he left her Bury Road, Breightmet, home where he had been staying.

She added he regularly talked about suicide including just two days before he disappeared.

Ms Stewart reported him missing the following day and said when she heard that remains had been found in the park she knew it was him.

She said: “I knew straight away, it is just one of those things. We had lived around there for around 11 or 12 years.

“He used to walk around there with a number of different friends.”

The partial remains of a note were found with the body and talked about ‘hearing voices’ and a ‘dark place’.

Mr Smiltneek was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1975 where he met Mrs Stewart in 2002 and they married the following year.

She had children from an earlier relationship and Mr Smiltneek took on the role of their father.

They moved to the UK in 2004 and to Bolton 11 years ago.

Their separation six years ago was amicable and they remained as a family, but not in a conventional way.

Assistant coroner Timothy Brennand told Ms Stewart: “You clearly have strong feelings of love for Sebastian and you wanted to remain there as part of his coping strategy.”

In August 2016 Mr Smiltneek was arrested over images that had been accessed on a computer and later went to a bridge in Rivington where he said he was going to jump but ‘didn’t have the guts’.

Mr Smiltneek talked to Mrs Stewart about wanting to go prison and wanting the court case to be over with.

Mr Brennand praised Mrs Stewart for the support she provided to him for his mental health problems..

He said: “I fully offer to you my most profound condolences and sympathy. You stood by your former partner offering unconditional care, love and support.

“You were brave. You were appreciative of Sebastian’s problems in a non-judgemental way, something which may possibly have been lost on him.

“You have my unconditional praise.”

Mr Brennand recorded an open conclusion into the death because there was a lack of medical evidence but ruled out any third party involvement in the death.