The father of two boys missing for over a week left a suicide note on his computer, police said on Tuesday.

In the letter, the man said he did not see any point in living any longer but did not give a motive. The letter made no mention of the brothers, aged nine and seven, who were last seen on Monday evening a week ago.

Their father’s body was found in woods near Utrecht on Tuesday morning.

Holiday

The letter was written on Monday afternoon, after the man had collected his sons from their mother. He told his ex-partner they were going on holiday to Luxemburg.

More details are emerging about the man’s final hours. Police say they now know he withdrew €175 from his bank account on Monday but only €45 has so far been accounted for.

He also bought petrol in Limburg on Monday evening and phoned his girlfriend to say he was in a hotel. Police say that call was actually made from the car.

Searches of woodland in Utrecht and Limburg have failed to turn up any sign of the boys. Their disappearance will be the subject of a television appeal on Tuesday evening.