Arson mansion in close-up

The bodies of millionaire Christopher Foster and his wife and daughter were found by police at the family's burnt-out mansion in August 2008.

Christopher, Jill and Kirstie Foster

The remains of Mr Foster, 50, and his wife, Jill, 49, were found close together in part of the ruins of Osbaston House days after a fire at the property in the early hours of 26 August.

The body of their 15-year-old daughter, Kirstie, was found in another part of the main house.

A post-mortem showed that Mrs Foster was shot in the head. Her husband's rifle was recovered from the scene. It has not been determined how Mr Foster and his daughter died.

Four dogs and three horses were found shot dead in the house and outbuildings at the £1.2m estate, near Maesbrook, Shropshire.

Osbaston House before the fire

Police, who sifted through the ruins of the burnt-out mansion and its grounds, believe Mr Foster shot his wife and daughter and set fire to their home before turning the gun on himself.

They have also studied CCTV footage at the property, which is believed to show Mr Foster firing a rifle at a horsebox in the grounds of the house after the fire had started.

Mansion family inquest to begin

In pictures: The arson house