An inquest into the deaths of a man - thought to have killed his estranged wife before driving his car into a parked lorry - has been opened and adjourned.

Birger Jensen, 50, died when his car ploughed into the back of a lorry on the A55 near Penmaenmawr at 1230 BST on Monday.

The family is obviously in deep shock and the children need some protection at this time

Det Supt Chris Corcoran

The body of his estranged wife Elizabeth Eleanor Jensen was discovered after police called to tell the family about the incident.

Mrs Jensen was found dead in her bed with multiple head injuries at her rented home in Deganwy, near Llandudno, which she shared with her two children.

Detectives said they are treating Mrs Jensen's death as murder but are not looking for anyone else in connection with her death.

Police believe the 44-year-old was killed late on Sunday evening or in the early hours of Monday morning.

Mr Jensen was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash

It is thought the couple's children - a 15-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy were in the house in St George's Drive at the time but did not witness the incident.

Detective Superintendent Chris Corcoran from North Wales Police said: "The family is obviously in deep shock and the children need some protection at this time.

"Both children are presently being cared for by close family members."

Mr Jensen and his wife, who was originally from south Wales, had been separated for several months but were believed to be on speaking terms.

The Danish-born security guard, who was known locally as John, had left a note which police have said is being examined.

Cut free

Det Supt Corcoran said: "We are in the very early stages of this investigation and we are trying to find out why this tragedy happened."

Mr Jensen suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

He was cut free from the wreckage of his Audi car which had ploughed into a lorry parked up in a lay-by.

The driver of the truck, who was in the cab at the time of the incident, was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd, in Bangor, suffering from whiplash and shock.

Anyone with information is asked to call North Wales Police on 01492 517171.