Mansion fire man's mother's shock

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The mother of a businessman thought to have killed his wife and daughter before torching his mansion and killing himself has spoken of her shock.

Enid Foster said she believed her son Christopher, 50, could not face telling his family they could lose their £1.2m home in Maesbrook, Shropshire.

His company had gone into liquidation and he owed at least £800,000 in tax.

Mrs Foster said she could not condone the actions of her son and said he had not told anyone of his money worries.

The bodies of Mr Foster and his 49-year-old wife Jillian were found in the wreckage of Osbaston House following the fire, which began in the early hours of 26 August.

'Can't condone'

A third body recovered is thought to be that of their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie.

Mr Foster, who made his fortune developing insulation technology for oil rigs, had seen his company, Ulva Ltd, go into liquidation.

They were a very close, loving family unit and I don't think he could face telling them they were going to lose everything Enid Foster

As well as its huge tax bill, the firm also faced legal action from one of its suppliers for thousands of pounds.

Mrs Foster, who lives in south Shropshire, said: "I can't condone what he's done, but I've lost a dearly-loved son, daughter-in-law and beautiful granddaughter.

"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. Life will never be the same without them. We're finding it very difficult to come to terms with."

Brother devastated

She said her granddaughter, who loved horses, had finished first in a horse riding competition at the Berriew Show, in Powys, the week before her death.

Three horses and four dogs were also found shot dead in different parts of the property.

Jillian Foster's brother Roger Doley, of Perton, near Wolverhampton, said he was devastated by the deaths of his sister and niece.

He said: "Jill was just a nice girl. She always had a nice smile and always made you welcome.

"I'm so heartbroken; I can't believe she's gone forever. Kirstie was so interested in the horses that it became part of Jill's life too.

"She treated all the animals like pets; even the chickens had names.

"Jill just loved life."

He added: "I remember the last time I saw Kirstie, she started giving me grief about being an old codger.

"But it was all in good humour. You would hear her shouting the horses' names as she went up the drive to feed them.

"There's so much to remember. It's just sad that I'm never going to see them ever again."