Residents of Maesbrook were today remembering the events of 12 months ago when failed Shropshire businessman Christopher Foster killed his wife and daughter and then himself in a murder spree.

Exactly a year ago today, emergency service crews raced towards Foster’s luxury home in the village, near Oswestry, in the early hours of the morning after reports that the £1.1 million property was ablaze.

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Firefighters battled to contain the inferno which destroyed much of Osbaston House and forensic experts began a search for Foster, his wife Jill and their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie.

Over the following days, and under the spotlight of the international media and amid growing speculation, the remains of 50-year-old Foster, his 49-year-old wife and their daughter were found at Osbaston House.

It emerged Foster was heavily in debt and police believe he killed his wife, daughter, family pets and then himself as well as setting fire to his mansion because he could not face the shame of losing everything.

Today, 12 months later, residents of Maesbrook were reflecting on the horror of those events. Sam Getty, landlady of the Black Horse Inn, said Osbaston House was still a talking point in the village’s pub.

She said: “I think what happened is still in the back of some people’s minds. I am sure people will be thinking about it because it is just so sad and it is 12 months now.

“We were not here at the pub when it happened because we came in October but I remember the day of the funeral. That was a very sad occasion.

“What happened does come up from time to time in conversation in the pub. It’s mainly tourists who are visiting the area who talk about it in the pub. They will often come in and ask where the house is. I suppose it’s morbid curiosity.”

Several villagers said they would be remembering the deaths on the anniversary.

One resident, who preferred not to be named, said: “It is still very sad what happened. There will be some interest in it because it is the first anniversary.

“Hopefully the interest will die down now and the family can mourn in peace.”

By Iain St John