Tycoon's lavish lifestyle to the end
Ruined businessman Christopher Foster continued to live the luxury life of a millionaire despite being at least £1.3 million in debt, an inquest heard.
He told friends he would rather kill himself than admit his champagne lifestyle was a sham and submit his wife and daughter to a "degrading" change in circumstances.
The 50-year-old had confided in his GP, business colleagues and friends that his business was collapsing and was prescribed anti-depressants after telling them he felt suicidal, the coroner was told.
At the time of his death he had assets of £3.1 million but debts of £4.4 million, including three mortgages on Osbaston House, Maesbrook, Shropshire.
Patrick Kelly, a financial investigator, told the inquest that Mr Foster had 20 bank accounts, one of which was overdrawn by £330,000. In October 2007, as his company went into compulsory liquidation, a £3 million freezing order was put on his assets, leaving him without any income.
Police believe Mr Foster, who made his fortune in oil rig technology, shot his Wolverhampton-born wife Jill and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie in the back of the head because of his financial situation.
