By Calvin Palmer
The identity of the third body removed from the ashes of millionaire businessman Christopher Foster’s Shropshire mansion is not likely to be known until next week.
Police believe the body is that of 15-year-old Kirstie. A post-mortem has been carried out but it has proved inconclusive. Police say that further tests are needed to determine the cause of death. Further tests are also needed on Foster’s body to determine the cause of death..
A special service is planned at Kirstie’s school, Ellesmere College, when pupils return next week after the summer break.
Headmaster Brendan Wignall told The Daily Telegraph, “Kirstie was a lovely girl and a good all-round sportswoman.”
He added: “In many ways it is not totally unexpected but it is still deeply shocking and upsetting to pretty much have it confirmed that Kirstie is dead. The Fosters always seemed to me to be a very close, loving and united family.”
Last Tuesday, Foster, aged 50, knowing that the bailiffs were about to move in to repossess his ₤1.2 million home, Osbaston House near Oswestry, killed his wife Jill, aged 49, and daughter Kirstie, and then set fire to the house before turning his 0.22 rifle on himself.
He set up an intricate system of pipes to flood the house, stables and garage with oil from the tank that supplied the central-heating system. Not only did he wish to destroy everything he owned but also cover up the traces of what he had done.
Foster’s pipe insulation business, Ulva Ltd., which supplied the oil industry, had collapsed leaving debts of ₤1 million and unpaid taxes amounting to ₤800,000. Unable to cope with the humiliation of business failure and the repossession of his home, he set his mind to the total annihilation of everything he owned and those he loved.
West Mercia Police have been studying CCTV footage from the security cameras to try and piece together all the elements of this tragedy. They are still searching through the charred remains of Osbaston House and the investigation could take several months to complete.
[Based on reports in The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian and The Times.]
