A murder inquiry was launched today after one of the bodies discovered at the fire-ravaged home of millionaire Chris Foster was identified as his wife, Jill, who had been shot in the head.

The second body, believed to be a man, was found close to the 49-year-old’s body at Osbaston House, Maesbrook, Shropshire, but has not yet been identified.

Police said Mr Foster and the couple’s 15-year-old daughter Kirstie were still unaccounted for.

Mr Foster’s rifle was discovered near his wife and the unidentified body, along with the body of a fourth dog, although police said it was too early to say if the rifle was the murder weapon.

Three other dogs and three horses in the outbuildings of the £1.15 million house had also been shot before the fire ravaged the buildings in the early hours of Tuesday, post mortems revealed.

Superintendent Gary Higgins, of West Mercia Constabulary, said: “We are certain that one of the bodies is that of Jill Foster and the other is believed to be that of a man.”