Grim details of the operation to identify the Foster family and how they died in their Shropshire country home were revealed for the first time today.The details of what remains were found at Osbaston House, Maesbrook, were outlined at the opening of the inquest of millionaire Chris Foster, his wife Jill, and their daughter Kirstie.

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Detectives have said they believe Foster, 50, killed his 49-year-old wife and 15-year-old daughter before setting fire to the house and killing himself in the early hours of August 26.

Detective Superintendent Jon Groves, from West Mercia Police’s major incident unit, told the inquest the bodies of Foster and his wife were found in the area of the house underneath what would have been the couple’s bedroom when the house was intact.

He said Kirstie’s remains were found in an area below where her bedroom would have been.

Mr Groves told Mr John Ellery, Mid and North Shropshire coroner, that “conventional identification” was not possible in this case.

He said DNA testing and dental records were used to identify the bodies found at the house.

Mrs Foster was identified using her dental records, while Foster’s identity was confirmed by DNA testing. Kirstie was identified by comparing the DNA profiles of her parents.

The inquest heard Mr Foster described as a self-employed businessman, who was born in Burnley, Lancashire.

He and Jill, a housewife, married in 1987 and their daughter was born in 1993.

Mr Ellery asked Mr Groves: “You are satisfied they were the three bodies found and removed from the fire scene?”

Mr Groves confirmed this was the case.

Mrs Foster died from a gunshot wound to the head, but the causes of death for Mr Foster and Kirstie have yet to be established.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed in order to allow detectives to continue their investigation, which is expected to last several months.

No relatives of the Foster family attended this morning’s brief hearing.

The house was destroyed in a blaze in the early hours of August 26.

The family was last seen when they attended a friend’s barbecue the evening before – the August Bank Holiday.

West Mercia Police have said the blaze at the house was started deliberately with an accelerant.

Firefighters were met with a horsebox with its tyres shot out blocking the gate when they arrived to tackle the raging fire.

Report By Kirsty Smallman and Rebecca Lawrence