Mother tells of pain over mansion tragedy

The mother of Christopher Foster, who shot his wife and daughter dead in his £1.4 million mansion before turning the gun on himself, today spoke of her pain after the tragedy.

The 50-year-old debt-ridden businessman murdered his Wolverhampton-born wife Jill and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie before setting alight Osbaston Hall in Maesbrook near Oswestry on August 26.

Today Enid Foster, who lives in South Shropshire, said she had no idea of her son's financial troubles and the whole family was struggling to come to terms with what he had done.

The 78-year-old said: "I can't condone what he's done, but I've lost a dearly-loved son, daughter-in-law Jill and beautiful granddaughter Kirstie.

"He talked to nobody, we knew nothing about his financial situation and it's come as a tremendous shock. So many of his friends have told me that had they known they would have helped him however they could.

"They were a very close, loving family unit and I don't think he could face telling them they were going to lose everything. But I am in no way condoning what he's done. It's very hard.

"Kirstie took part in the Berriew Show the weekend before. Her last ever horse show and she got first place in the championship.

"Life will never be the same without them. We're finding it very difficult to come to terms with."

Jill Foster's brother Roger Doley, of Perton, Wolverhampton, also paid tribute today to his sister, who he described as "just a nice girl always made you feel welcome".

Mr Doley said his sister had always enjoyed playing sports and was a good swimmer. "Kirstie was so interested in the horses that it became part of Jill's life too.

"I remember the last time I saw Kirstie, she started giving me grief about being an old codger. But it was all in good humour. You would hear her shouting the horses' names as she went up the drive to feed them.

"There's so much to remember. It's just sad that I'm never going to see them ever again."

Mrs Foster, who was 49, was the youngest of three and leaves behind her brother and sister Anne Giddings.

By Elizabeth Joyce