Fernando Manrique also had money trouble at the time he and his family died from carbon monoxide poisoning

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A Sydney father was having an affair with a teenager in the Philippines and experiencing money troubles when he died with his family from carbon monoxide poisoning in 2016, an inquest has heard.

The inquest into the October 2016 apparent murder-suicide of Fernando Manrique, 44, his wife Maria Lutz, 43, and their young autistic children, Elisa and Martin, began at Lidcombe coroners court on Monday.

In his opening address, counsel assisting Adam Casselden SC told the court the businessman was in a “serous relationship” with a 17-year-old girl in the Philippines at the time of their deaths.

The teenager told Australian police she met Manrique at a bar where she worked. He told her to quit her job and that he would support her financially.

“(She) said Fernando intended to buy her a property but never did so,” Casselden said.

Lutz, meanwhile, had asked for a divorce.

Sydney family were gassed in murder-suicide, police believe Read more

She had “no awareness of or involvement in Fernando’s plans,” to gas his entire family, with the businessman taking “deliberate steps to hide the gas from her,” Casselden said.

Manrique purchased two cylinders of carbon monoxide 10 days before the family’s deaths and arranged for them to be delivered to a friend’s home.

He also made four visits to Bunnings in as many days, buying more equipment for his plan.

Det Sgt Timothy Pooley told the inquest Manrique’s financials were in “dire straits”, including owing $15,000 to the tax office, $28,000 in credit card debts and two mortgages totalling more than $500,000, of which he was only paying the interest.

Lutz, on the other hand, was excited about going back to work after finding out she would be getting $25,000 in support through the NDIS for their children, aged 11 and 10.

“She was looking forward to life without Fernando,” Pooley said.

Casselden said it appeared Manrique intended to die with his family, although they could not be certain.

He said the inquest would be looking into supply, delivery and storage of carbon monoxide.

“A real concern is the relative ease with which Fernando was able to source the carbon monoxide,” he said.

The inquest continues before deputy state coroner Elaine Truscott.