Dad killed himself and daughter, 2, weeks after split from First Dates star ex

Ashley Henry, 35, had taken toddler Oria to the beach for fish and chips and ice cream shortly before the horror smash.

A dad killed himself and his two-year-old daughter by deliberately crashing head-on into a lorry weeks after splitting with her mum, an inquest has heard.

Ashley Henry, 35, had taken toddler Oria to the beach for fish and chips and ice cream shortly before the horror smash in Lincolnshire on Father’s Day last year.

Both were declared dead at the scene in Anwick on June 18 after the Nissan Qashqai they were travelling in flipped over in the road.

Henry had broken up with Oria’s mother Rachael Leader, who previously appeared on Channel 4’s dating show spin-off First Dates Hotel, just two weeks before the tragedy.

Police later found a note on his laptop titled ‘Bye’ setting out his plans.

Rachael sobbed as its contents were read out during the inquest at Lincolnshire Coroner’s Court.

Henry described how Oria was the ‘best thing to happen to me’ but said he ‘worried about being replaced’ in her life and would have ‘nothing to live for’ if she was taken away.

The inquest heard Oria – who may have been killed before the collision – was strapped into her car seat in the front passenger seat when her dad crashed into the lorry, The Sun reports.

Lorry driver David Ewington told the hearing the Nissan ‘came out of nowhere across the road’ before hitting him.

He initially thought it must have had a puncture and said he was unable to avoid the pair as they hurtled head-on into his path.

The crash was initially treated as an accidental collision but police launched a murder investigation two days later.

In a statement issued by police, Rachael paid touching tribute to her ‘darling girl’.

She said: ‘To my darling daughter, Oria. I love you so much. I’m so sorry your precious life was taken from you.

‘You gave me so much light sweetheart, so much love and so much happiness. I will cherish each and every moment we had together.

‘You had the most beautiful smile and gorgeous curly hair. You touched the hearts of many Oria and I’m so incredibly proud to be your mummy.

‘I miss you so much. Whilst the pain of losing you is indescribable, I will turn it into purpose, for you and for us.

‘You chose me for a reason and will continue to shine your light through me. We will shine together. My darling girl, my baby, God will keep you safe until we meet again in heaven.

‘I love you Oria, mummy xxx.’

The inquest continues.

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