Why did Foster do it?

Family killer Chris Foster gave no signs of the horror that was to unfold at his million-pound Shropshire home during his last hours alive, the final people to see him revealed today.

The businessman was relaxed and happy at a barbecue with friends just hours before shooting dead his wife Jill, killing teenage daughter Kirstie, destroying Osbaston House in an inferno and finally killing himself.

Foster and his family had been guests at the barbecue at a neighbour's house in Maesbrook on Bank Holiday Monday - the last time any of them were seen in public.

Speaking exclusively to the Shropshire Star, friends Julian Edwards and the host of the barbecue, who did not want to be named, said Foster was "normal" and relaxed.

He showed no sign of being worried about any financial difficulties. Bailiffs were set to arrive on his doorstep the following day.

Mr Edwards, 36, owner of Kestrel Developments Ltd, took the last photograph of the Foster family smiling together at the barbecue.

"Chris and Jill were fine, just no different to normal. They were a very normal couple.

"We just don't know what happened. We just cannot get our heads around him (Chris)," he said.

The man who hosted the barbecue, an Oswestry car dealer, said: "We will remember them as a very happy family. Nobody saw it coming and nobody knew about their financial situation."

The Fosters' farrier, Ian Coe, who had visited the house just days before the blaze, said he did not know of any financial pressures.

"I wasn't owed any money. As soon as I finished each visit I was paid. I was surprised at his supposed financial problems," he said.

Detectives today refused to reveal any further details about the murders and said it could be several days before the third body was formally identified, although they believe it is that of Kirstie. Further tests are being carried out to find out how she and her father died.

Reports claim Foster shot his daughter in the back of the head as she sat at her computer, before shooting his wife while she slept in their bed. It is also claimed that Foster flooded the buildings and home with fuel through a huge pipe from a oil tank before turning the gun on himself after striking a match while lying next to his wife's dead body.

Detectives said the full details would be revealed in the inquests.

Detective Superintendent Jon Groves said: "We have released as much detail as we are able at yesterday's press conference and it is unlikely we will be expanding further.

"The full circumstances of this tragic incident will be investigated for the inquest and I am not prepared to comment on speculation and fabrication in advance of the hearing."

Foster was captured on CCTV brandishing his rifle in the grounds of his home while moving a horsebox to block his electric gates at the end of the drive.

He was filmed shooting out the tyres in a desperate attempt to prevent any help.

With the blaze already destroying the outbuildings where his dead horses and dogs lay, the killer returned to the main house where his body was later found close to that of his wife.

See also: Close up view shows scale of tragedy

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Kirstie 'on net' before blaze

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Inside Osbaston Hall before the blaze

Scene of the mansion blaze