Gutted mansion probe becomes murder inquiry

By John Joseph

LONDON (Reuters) - A millionaire businessman's wife whose body was recovered from a Shropshire mansion destroyed by a suspicious fire was shot in the head, West Mercia Constabulary said on Sunday as they launched a murder inquiry.

Christopher Foster, 50, his wife Jill, 49, and their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie have not been seen since a suspected arson attack ripped through Osbaston House, its stable block and garage area early on Tuesday.

As a well as Jill Foster's body, which was identified from her dental records, an adult man's body was recovered on Saturday, though further tests are needed before a positive identification can be made.

A rifle, legitimately owned by the businessman, has been found near the bodies as was the body of dog, which was also shot.

A further three horses and three dogs found in the mansion's outbuildings were shot before the fire broke out, while spent and unspent gun cartridges have been found in the mansion's grounds.

"Further tests are needed to establish whether the rifle found was the one used in the murder and to kill the animals," said Superintendent Gary Higgins.

Police had only be able to gain access to the site of the gutted house on Friday as falling debris had made it unsafe for officers to enter the mansion and the search team had to withdraw on Saturday night when the walls began to lean.

The forensic search is expected to last for possibly several weeks.