The devastated mother of double Shropshire murderer Chris Foster today spoke of how she was struggling to comes to terms with the horror of her son’s killing of his wife and teenage daughter.

See also: Foster mansion tragedy

Enid Foster, speaking for the first time, said she believed her son murdered his wife, Jill, and their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie at their Maesbrook home, because he could not face revealing the extent of his debt.

It has been reported Foster was on the verge on losing his home and had run up debts of up to £2 million. His Telford-based business, Ulva Ltd, went into liquidation last year.

Mrs Foster, of Church Stretton, said she was not condoning his actions but said she was still grieving for him, her daughter-in-law and beloved granddaughter.

The pensioner said the whole family, including her younger son, Andrew, were struggling to come to terms with the murders and Foster taking his own life.

She paid tribute to her “beautiful” granddaughter Kirstie and said she was finding it hard to understand how Foster could have done what he did.

“I can’t condone what he’s done, but I’ve lost a dearly loved son, daughter-in-law and beautiful granddaughter. Kirstie was just a lovely girl,” Mrs Foster said.

“He talked to nobody, we knew nothing about his financial situation and it’s come as a tremendous shock.

“So many of his friends have told me that, had they known, they would have helped him however they could.

“They were a very close, loving family unit and I don’t think he could face telling them they were going to lose everything. But I am in no way condoning what he’s done. It’s very hard.”

Mrs Foster said Kirstie had loved her horses and was an excellent rider.

“Kirstie took part in the Berriew Show the weekend before. Her last ever show and she got first place in the championship,” she added.

“Life will never be the same without them. We’re finding it very difficult to come to terms with.”

Police say Foster shot his 49-year-old wife in the head, killed his daughter Kirstie and then turned their £1.15 million home into a blazing inferno. He then returned to his house where the two dead bodies lay and killed himself.

Kirstie’s body has yet to be formally identified. Tests are still being carried out to find out how Foster killed Kirstie and himself.

By Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman