A DEPRESSED former Samaritans volunteer downed a cocktail of drink and drugs before setting fire to his car while inside it.

Sammi Miers’ car exploded in a beauty spot car park, causing nearby properties to shake.

His body was found inside the burnt out remains.

It remains a mystery why the 33-year-old, who was said to be cheerful and upbeat hours before his death, torched his Vauxhall Adam in Burbush car park in the New Forest after consuming alcohol, cocaine and ecstasy.

The hearing was told that as police officers arrived at Mr Miers’ home to inform the family, his husband of just over a year Phil received a large bouquet of roses ordered by Mr Miers the night before with a card that said “I’m sorry”.

The former Samaritans volunteer suffered with depression for most of his life and went missing from his home in Oakwood Drive, Lordswood.

Husband Phil Miers, 43, a regional engineer at Spire Hospital in Southampton, said: “When I went to work he was still asleep.

“When I came back at 5pm I found the car had gone, Sammi wasn’t home and had not left any messages.”

DC Lee Murden, who investigated the death, said that Mr Miers was captured on CCTV at the petrol station of Sainsbury’s in Lordshill filling up his car and a petrol can, and buying a bottle of wine.

He then drove to see friend Jason Pink in Bournemouth.

Mr Pink said Mr Miers, a recruitment engagement officer who worked with young adults as part of the national citizenship scheme, was cheerful and upbeat when he saw him.

Mr Pink said: “Sammi said he was going to see another friend and that he would see me next time.”

He later drove to the car park in the New Forest, arriving at about 7.30pm.

Just after midnight Patrick Willmott, a resident in nearby Pound Lane, said he heard a loud bang that shook the doors and windows of his flat.

A post mortem revealed that Mr Miers, whose body was discovered the next morning on September 12, had died of extensive burns.

A toxicology report revealed he had drank alcohol and taken ecstasy and cocaine before he died.

David Lock, fire investigator at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, ruled out foul play and said Mr Miers had deliberately started the fire that caused the car to explode.

Coroner Grahame Short said: “It remains unclear why he would take such a drastic step. But I do believe it was a result of the depression and the realisation that it was never going to get better.”

Mr Short concluded that Mr Miers, death was the result of suicide.

Phil Miers paid tribute to his husband, saying: “Sammi’s death has hit the family and myself hard. He was the life of the party, was always smiling, could strike a friendship with total strangers, and was hopeless with his driving.

“Everyone had such great things to say about him, from friends, colleagues and even the schools and colleges he worked with. Nothing would get in his way for a good time and a laugh.”

If you need someone to talk to you can contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123, visiting your local branch, going to www.samaritans.org, or emailing jo@samaritans.org.