Law firm boss killed himself by stepping in front of a train after rowing with his wife during city break and sending her a text saying he knew their relationship was over 

Law firm boss: Andy Duxbury, 56, killed himself by stepping in front of a train after rowing with his wife

A law firm boss killed himself by stepping in front of a train after rowing with his wife on holiday and sending her a text saying he knew their relationship was over, an inquest has heard.

Andy Duxbury texted his partner Judith to say: ‘I know it’s over - the last two years you have loved and hated me in equal measures. The irony of the ultimate selfish act is not lost on me.’

The 56-year-old father-of-three then stepped into the path of a train near Mill Hill railway station in Blackburn, Lancashire.

Police at the scene found Mr Duxbury's iPad, an iPhone, two framed family photographs, a bottle of whisky, a digital camera and a set of car keys piled neatly at the side of the tracks.

He had been chief executive of Chester-based legal practice Aaron & Partners, which is in The Lawyer UK200 list of leading law firms in Britain.

Mr Duxbury became a partner in the firm in 2011 - the first non-lawyer to head a practice - and became a well-known business figure in the Cheshire city, playing host to VIPs including former business secretary Sir Vince Cable.

But Mr and Mrs Duxbury had a row at dinner on December 28 last year during a short break at a luxury hotel in Liverpool, when she found out he had been lying to her about a personal matter.

Discussions at breakfast the next morning were still said to be ‘frosty’ but Mrs Duxbury later told police that she believed the couple would continue their break as normal.

The inquest in Blackburn was told that after breakfast they returned to their room, but Mr Duxbury disappeared while she was in the bathroom getting ready to go out for the day.

Location: Mr Duxbury stepped into the path of a train near Mill Hill railway station (above) in Blackburn

Mrs Duxbury assumed her husband had gone ahead with their itinerary and had planned to go sightseeing without her. She then spent the day visiting the attractions looking for him.

But unbeknown to Mrs Duxbury her husband had driven his Nissan Qashqai car to Blackburn, the town of his birth, and parked near the house where he had been brought up.

Shortly after 3pm she received a text message from her husband saying from now on money would ‘not be a problem for her.’

She rang him twice, leaving voicemail messages saying she would call police if he failed to respond - and when she got a second text, she dialled 999.

In a statement Mrs Duxbury told the hearing there had been no previous threats to kill himself.

But she said of the texts: ‘I didn’t feel I was dealing with my husband, I felt I was dealing with someone going to do something to themselves. I wanted help dealing with him.’

Leading law firm: Mr Duxbury had been chief executive of Chester-based legal practice Aaron & Partners

Lancashire Police were treating Mr Duxbury as a high risk missing person when they got a call to say a body had been found next to railway tracks.

Former business secretary: Mr Duxbury became a well-known business figure in Chester, playing host to VIPs such as Sir Vince Cable (pictured)

The train driver said he had pulled away from Blackburn and was on his way to Preston, travelling at around 50mph, when the headlights of his locomotive picked up a figure coming onto the track. He slammed on the brakes but had no chance of avoiding him.

British Transport Police said a set of car keys found at the trackside were used to open the Nissan found nearby and inside was Mr Duxbury’s wallet with ID documents.

A note from Mr Duxbury addressed to ‘mum and dad’ was found at a cemetery in Blackburn.

Blood tests showed he was twice the legal drink drive limit. Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of suicide.

Prior to his career with Aaron and Partners, Mr Duxbury was educated at Leeds University and held a variety of marketing and development roles for firms including Boots and the RAC.

He was also chairman of the Cheshire branch of the Institute of Directors from 2009 to 2012 chairman of Cheshire Professionals, a member of Cheshire and Warrington Enterprise Partnership’s Business Growth Strategy Board and a member of Cheshire Business Leaders.

At the time of his death Simon Edwards, senior partner at Aaron & Partners, said: ‘Lawyers are not easy to manage, but Andy was always able to build consensus through his clear thinking, determination, patience and charm.’

And Mark Briegal, corporate partner and head of the firm’s professional practices team, added: ‘Andy had a broad view of the business and was able to articulate our strategy and implement it.’

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local Samaritans branch, or click here for details