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| Bodies were below burnt-out rooms | |
| (1 day later) | |
| The remains of a Shropshire family were found in a burnt-out mansion underneath where their bedrooms had been, an inquest has heard. | The remains of a Shropshire family were found in a burnt-out mansion underneath where their bedrooms had been, an inquest has heard. |
| Police believe Christopher Foster, 50, killed his wife Jill, 49, and daughter Kirstie, 15, before setting alight their Maesbrook home last month. | Police believe Christopher Foster, 50, killed his wife Jill, 49, and daughter Kirstie, 15, before setting alight their Maesbrook home last month. |
| Det Supt Jon Goves told the inquest the remains were found under where the two rooms had been before the fire. | |
| The inquest was opened and adjourned at Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court. | The inquest was opened and adjourned at Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court. |
| The family's relatives did not attend the brief hearing which was adjourned by John Ellery, the coroner for mid and north Shropshire, to a later date. | The family's relatives did not attend the brief hearing which was adjourned by John Ellery, the coroner for mid and north Shropshire, to a later date. |
| The fire broke out at Osbaston House in the early hours of 26 August. | The fire broke out at Osbaston House in the early hours of 26 August. |
| Burning buildings | Burning buildings |
| Police have said they are not looking for anyone else over the deaths. | Police have said they are not looking for anyone else over the deaths. |
| CCTV footage recovered from the mansion showed Mr Foster carrying a gun amid the burning buildings. | CCTV footage recovered from the mansion showed Mr Foster carrying a gun amid the burning buildings. |
| A post-mortem examination revealed his wife died from a gunshot wound to the head. | A post-mortem examination revealed his wife died from a gunshot wound to the head. |
| Tests are continuing in an attempt to establish the cause of death for Mr Foster and Kirstie. | Tests are continuing in an attempt to establish the cause of death for Mr Foster and Kirstie. |
| Det Supt Goves, of West Mercia Police, told the inquest the bodies were identified using DNA testing and dental records. | |
| Mr Foster was described as a self-employed businessman, who was born in Burnley, Lancashire. | |
| He and Jill married in 1987 and their daughter Kirstie Louise was born six years later. | |
| Police have said it will be several months until their inquiry will be complete. | Police have said it will be several months until their inquiry will be complete. |
| Officers are carrying out tests on a rifle recovered at the house to see if it was the murder weapon. Forensic officers have also been combing the remains of the house. | Officers are carrying out tests on a rifle recovered at the house to see if it was the murder weapon. Forensic officers have also been combing the remains of the house. |
| Mr Foster had seen his company Ulva Ltd go into liquidation and faced losing his £1.2m house. | Mr Foster had seen his company Ulva Ltd go into liquidation and faced losing his £1.2m house. |
| At the time of his death, the firm owed £800,000 in tax and faced legal action from one of its creditors. Advertisement | |
| Police believe Christopher Foster killed his wife and daughter | Police believe Christopher Foster killed his wife and daughter |