Bloody rampage ended in suicide, police believe

Millionaire British businessman Christopher Foster shot his family, horses and dogs, then took his own life, according to police.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths of three members of the Foster family at their sprawling home near Oswestry, which was destroyed by fire a week ago, along with several outbuildings.

Detectives investigating the arson and murders at Osbaston House, Maesbrook, in the early hours of August 26th believe that Jill and Kirstie Foster were killed by Christopher Foster.

The first body found on Friday was positively identified as Mr Foster from dental records early yesterday afternoon. The body of Mrs Foster, also found on Friday, was positively identified on Sunday.

The location of the third body, found on Sunday, suggests that it is Kirstie Foster. However further tests are needed to confirm her identity.

Police believe Mr Foster killed his wife and daughter before setting the fires which destroyed Osbaston House and many of its outbuildings 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 the police believe to be Kirstie.

A rifle recovered near Mr and Mrs Foster's bodies on Friday has been positively identified as belonging to Christopher Foster. Police believe that Mr Foster took his own life after setting the house alight.

Security camera footage recovered from the house shows a man, who police strongly believe to be Mr Foster, in the grounds of the property during the early hours of that Tuesday with what appears to be a rifle in his hands.

It also shows outbuildings going up in flames around the same time and a large horsebox being moved down the driveway, in front of the gates to the premises. A man, again believed to be Mr Foster, is seen to get out of the vehicle and apparently shoot out two of the tyres.

Detective Superintendent Jon Groves, who is leading the investigation, said he had taken the decision to reveal the details of the police investigation in an attempt to end much of the speculation which has appeared in many sections of the media and to give early answers to the community.

“This is a very complex and unusual case and around 100 officers and staff have been working hard to establish the circumstances leading up to the fire at Osbaston House in the early hours of that Tuesday,” he said.

“We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths at this stage. This was a terrible tragedy and our thoughts remain with the families of the Fosters at this time. I would once again reiterate their request to be left alone by the media to grieve.”

Although police have released information about what they believe happened, Detective Superintendent Groves stressed that the investigation itself was far from over.

“The search and examination of the site is still ongoing and is expected to take several days at least,” he added.

“Clearly there is still a lot of work to do on this murder and arson inquiry so we can establish exactly what happened the morning of the fire, including tests on whether the rifle recovered on Friday was the murder weapon.