A 35 year-old police officer accused of sexual misconduct hanged himself from a tree at a Pembrokeshire beauty spot, an inquest has heard.

The body of Detective Constable Adam Chiffi was discovered in Minwear Woods near Blackpool Mill in July.

At the time of his death, DC Chiffi, who was brought up in Tenby and lived in Robeston Wathen, was under investigation for allegedly causing or inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity.

He was arrested in May on suspicion of the offence and was still on bail and suspended from his post at the time of his death.

An inquest in Milford Haven heard that DC Chiffi, who was stationed in Carmarthen, was due to report to Cardigan police station on the day he died.

When he failed to turn up, a Pembrokeshire-wide search was launched, as he was considered to be ‘high risk’ and vulnerable, according to Coroner’s Officer Jeremy Davies.

A subsequent search of his home revealed a number of letters to members of his family, which his wife Hannah - also a serving police officer - said left her in no doubt that he was going to take his own life.

She then told officers that a stepladder and rope were missing and suggested ten different locations where he might be found.

He was later discovered by Narberth-based Police Sergeant Martin Rogers, who discovered DC Chiffi’s car - with the distinctive numberplate C11 HFF - on an unclassified road between Martletwy and Blackpool Mill.

In a statement to the inquest Sgt Rogers said the engine was still running and there were three letters in the car indicating that he was going to take his life and where he could be found.

He ran to the described location and immediately saw DC Chiffi hanging from a tree. There was a stepladder on the ground nearby.

Also making a statement to the inquest was DC Chiffi’s wife, Hannah.

She said when ‘Chiff’ was told to take leave of absence from the police force he never shared the desperation that he was obviously feeling.

On the day of his death he had given her every indication that he was intending to go to Cardigan police station, but he had not wanted her to go with him.

"He was a family man, who will be sorely missed," she said.

Pembrokeshire Coroner Mark Layton recorded a verdict of self-administered asphyxiation.