Police say Foster killed family
Double murderer Chris Foster killed his wife and daughter before setting fire to his own home and killing himself, detectives have revealed.
Double murderer Chris Foster killed his wife and daughter before setting fire to his own home and killing himself, detectives have revealed.
The crazed businessman went on the killing spree before turning his £1.15million Shropshire home into an inferno.
The 50-year-old shot his wife Jill in the head and murdered his 15-year-old daughter Kirstie.
To stop emergency services trying to save his family and his home in Maesbrook, near Oswestry, he barricaded the electric gates with a horsebox.
He then fired shots at the tyres of the horsebox with the same rifle he is believed to have used to murder his wife and daughter.
The horrifying account of what happened at Osbaston House on Tuesday August 26 was revealed by detectives at a press conference in Shrewsbury on Tuesday.
Detective Superintendent Jon Groves, leading the double murder inquiry, said Kirstie's body had not yet been formally identified but detectives believed she was the third body to be discovered amongst the rubble of the fire ravaged house.
Mr Foster allowed his CCTV cameras to film him and his home as he went on the killing spree.
Detectives revealed that the millionaire was seen wielding his rifle as he set fire to his house and outbuildings with his dead wife and daughter inside.
The remains of Mr Foster and the body believed to be Kirstie were so badly destroyed in the fire that police have not been able to find out how the father and daughter died.
Police are not looking for anybody else in connection with the murders.
But now detectives are trying to find out what drove Mr Foster to kill his family.
Mr Groves said: "Police believe that Mr Foster killed his wife and daughter before setting the fires which destroyed Osbaston House and many of its buildings in the early hours of Tuesday.
"Jill Foster died from a gunshot wound to the head before the fire was started. A cause of death has yet to be established for Mr Foster and the body we believe to be Kirstie."
The top detective refused to reveal whether Mr Foster had left a suicide note but said the search of the house was continuing.
Mr Groves said they were questioning friends of the Foster family to try and find out if he gave them any clues as to what would unfold at his home last Tuesday.
Mr Groves would not reveal any details about Mr Foster's business or financial dealings.
Don't miss today's Shropshire Star for full coverage.
See also: First look at Foster tragedy home
Third body removed from mansion
Local reaction to Foster tragedy
Accelerant used in Foster blaze
Wife's body found at arson house
Computers recovered from house
Did pressure cause millionaire to 'flip'?
Businessman 'risked losing £1m home'
Inside Osbaston Hall before the blaze
By Kirsty Smallman and Suzanne Roberts
