Third mansion blaze body is Kirstie

The third body discovered at the fire-ravaged Shropshire home of suspected family murderer Chris Foster was that of his teenage daughter, detectives revealed today.It has taken forensic experts nearly three weeks to formally identify 15-year-old Kirstie from the final remains which were pulled from Osbaston House in Maesbrook.

It is not yet known how the Ellesmere College student was killed, but detectives said they believed her father murdered her.

The cause of death for Foster, who moved from Allscott near Wellington four years ago, is also still unknown at this stage. He ran a pipe insulation firm called Ulva Ltd, in Telford, which went into liquidation last year.

Detectives have said they believe Foster murdered his wife, Jill, by shooting her in the head, and killed Kirstie before setting fire to their £1.15 million home and then killing himself on August 26.

He also killed the family animals, including the horses and dogs.

Ballistic tests are being carried out to see whether Foster’s rifle, which was found near to his and his wife’s bodies in the remains of the country home, was the murder weapon.

Tributes flooded in for Kirstie after detectives first revealed they believed the third body was her and that she had been murdered by her father.

Friends said she would never be forgotten and was always laughing and joking, but devoted much of her life to her beloved horses.

More than three weeks after the blaze ripped through the country home, forensic specialists continue to sift through large amounts of debris at the property.

Police said Foster used an “accelerant” to start the fire at his home, which he was reportedly going to lose due to his financial debts.

Detective Superintendent Jon Groves said: “A full report is being prepared for Mr John Ellery, mid and north Shropshire coroner, who will hold a full inquest in due course.

“We were awaiting the results of DNA testing to formally identify Kirstie and such tests take time. The results came through yesterday confirming it was her.”

Inquests will be opened and adjourned in due course.

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman