Bodies were below burnt-out rooms

Police believe Mr Foster killed his wife and daughter

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.

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 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.

Burning buildings

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.

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.

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.

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.

At the time of his death, the firm owed £800,000 in tax and faced legal action from one of its creditors.

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Police believe Christopher Foster killed his wife and daughter