Dad who gasses his family 'didn't mean to kill himself too'

A businessman who gassed himself and his family to death was preparing to flee to the Philippines and was 'inadvertently overcome' by fumes, an inquest has heard.

Fernando Manrique, 44, Maria Lutz, 43, and their children Elisa, 11, and Martin, 10, were found dead, along with the family dog, in their Sydney home in October 2016.

Manrique had set up an elaborate system of pipes in the ceiling to spray odourless carbon monoxide gas throughout the house. 

His body was found face down in the hallway of the family home while his dead wife and children were discovered in bed.  

Fernando Manrique, 44, killed his entire family to death after his wife discovered his affair with a woman in the Philippines and demanded a divorce, an inquest has heard

Fernando Manrique, 44, killed his entire family to death after his wife discovered his affair with a woman in the Philippines and demanded a divorce, an inquest has heard

Manrique had set up an elaborate system of pipes in the ceiling to spray odourless carbon monoxide gas throughout the house. Pictured: Bodies being taken from the home

Manrique had set up an elaborate system of pipes in the ceiling to spray odourless carbon monoxide gas throughout the house. Pictured: Bodies being taken from the home

The possibility he may not have intended to kill himself was raised at the start of the inquest last month  - and now a police report has supported that theory.

Police believe he was going to flee to the Philippines where he was dating a 19-year-old woman named Jamie whom he had met on business trip there.  

According to the Daily Telegraph, a report by Detective Sergeant Tim Pooley said: 'I believe that he did not mean to commit suicide but was inadvertently overcome by gas.

'Fernando had intentions to move to the Philippines… and to live with Jamie. He had no intention of taking his own life.' 

The inquest heard Manrique had tried to call his Filipina girlfriend that night and was found dead next to a packed suitcase and $750 in cash. 

But Counsel Assisting the Coroner Adam Casselden cast doubt on the theory, saying that Manrique knew how toxic carbon monoxide was but had shut all the doors and windows before his death.

Mr Casselden also said he had no flights booked and his suitcase may have been packed because he often went away with work.

The inquest concludes on Thursday. 

During the inquest last month, former friends and colleagues revealed the secret wild life Manrique was leading while living in Asia.

Police believe Manrique was going to flee to the Philippines where he was dating a 19-year-old woman named Jamie whom he had met on business trip there. Pictured: The family home

Police believe Manrique was going to flee to the Philippines where he was dating a 19-year-old woman named Jamie whom he had met on business trip there. Pictured: The family home

Maria Lutz, 43 and her children Elisa, 11, and Martin, 10, were found dead, along with the family dog, in their Sydney home in October 2016

Maria Lutz, 43 and her children Elisa, 11, and Martin, 10, were found dead, along with the family dog, in their Sydney home in October 2016

Manrique, was an 'awkward IT executive' up until he began doing stints in Asia between 2015 and 2016. 

'He had absolutely no interpersonal or people skills. I have no idea how he got himself into senior positions,' an Australian businessman said.

One friend said he got a sleeve tattoo and enjoyed riding elephants while medical records showed he went to the doctors after having unprotected sex twice in a month in 2014 and was prescribed Viagra. 

Another former friend said he had turned into a 'predator' who pursed dozens of young women while living away from his family.

Former colleagues have described how Manrique would go bar hopping and even dabbled in cosmetic enhancements during his time in Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.

He would spend up large, running up massive credit card bills while out partying with young women.

With his young family back in Sydney, Manrique indulged in high-price escorts in Asia. He even dabbled in Viagra, a former friend said. 

When Ms Lutz (pictured with her family) discovered Manrique's affair she demanded a divorce

When Ms Lutz (pictured with her family) discovered Manrique's affair she demanded a divorce 

Young Martin's body was found in a room beside the family's bull mastiff Tequila (pictured)

Young Martin's body was found in a room beside the family's bull mastiff Tequila (pictured)

He eventually began seeing a woman he had met during a

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