Target ... Mercante had wanted to execute Claire

A CRAZED man hacked his mother-in-law to death after flying in to Britain to hunt his estranged wife - armed with a "torture kit".

Former French Foreign Legion member Sebastian Mercante, 40, then committed suicide by throwing himself off the top of a multi-storey car park.

Before leaping he cursed his wife by daubing a message in *lo** on a wall, saying: "F*** U Claire".

Plunge ... *lo** is on wall where killer Mercante jumped

The bodybuilder had launched a frenzied knife attack on Carol Toothill when she told him Claire was not in her house.

He also attacked her brother Andrew who was "serious" in hospital last night.

Scene ... cop at house

Claire, 31, who had been seeking a divorce, was "distraught" over her mum's death.

The pretty blonde met Mercante, 40, after finishing a biology degree and moving to work in Tenerife in the Canaries.

They married and set up home, with Carol, 66, flying out to visit.

It is understood she did not approve of her son-in-law. The couple split in 2008 and Claire returned to the UK.

Cops believe neo-Nazi Mercante, who had an Iron Cross tattoo, blamed Carol for the rift.

A source said shaven-headed Mercante "didn't take the split well" - and when Claire rang recently to tell him she'd met another man and wanted a divorce he "snapped".

He flew into Manchester Airport on Friday, hired a car and drove 30 miles to Claire's home in Huddersfield, West Yorks.

A source added: "He'd armed himself with some sort of 'torture kit', which included a six-inch knife, a blunt instrument and cable ties.

"We think he was planning to execute his wife and possibly her mum. He was certainly armed to inflict maximum pain.

"Claire's mum didn't stand a chance. He was a massive bloke armed to the teeth."

A post-mortem revealed Carol died from multiple stab wounds.

Mercante also knifed Claire's brother Andrew in the neck and hands. He suffered serious wounds and was last night recovering in hospital.

After the attack, Mercante ran out of the home - leaving *lo**stains on the front door - and leapt into the hire car.

Final message ... curse daubed in *lo** on wall where crazed Mercante jumped over parapet

He drove back to Manchester. While he considered his next move, police launched a nationwide hunt for him.

Police have not revealed details of the murder weapon, but it is known Mercante bought a Blackhawk hunting knife on eBay five weeks ago for £65.

Just after midnight on Friday, Mercante was disturbed by a car park employee as he scrawled the message in *lo** - believed to be his own - to his wife.

While the worker went to get help Mercante clambered over a safety rail and hurled himself off the car park's eighth floor.

West Yorkshire Police said: "Detectives are not seeking anyone else in connection with the inquiry after a man was found dead in Manchester.

"Officers believe he is a 40-year-old man whose identity is known to them."