02/04/2009
Mansion Fire Inquest Begins
An inquest into the death of a man who is believed to have killed his daughter and wife before torching their family home, has begun today.
Details of millionaire Christopher Foster's "severe financial difficulty" were revealed today at a hearing into the deaths of the 50-year-old, his wife Jill and teenage daughter Kirstie.
The hearing was told Mr Foster's thermal insulation company, Ulva Ltd, went into liquidation in October 2007, leaving him in financial difficulty.
Police believe he killed his wife Jill, 49, and his 15-year-old wife before burning their £1.2 million mansion in Maesbrook, Shropshire.
A Home Office pathologist said Mr Foster probably died as a result of smoke inhalation in the blaze.
During the inquest, at Shrewsbury Magistrates, it was also heard in December 2005, Mr Foster told police his former accountant was blackmailing him over a joint property deal in Cyprus.
Two defendants were prosecuted and found not guilty at Shrewsbury Crown Court in November 2006.
Dr Alexander Kolar, said there was "no evidence" that Mr Foster had died of a gunshot wound, though he added he could not rule this out.
He also said the 50-year-old would have been alive during the fire, but probably died in "tens of minutes" from inhaling smoke.
Photographs of the five-bedroom house, taken before and after the fire, were shown during the inquest.
Containers of heating oil on the floor at the property's dining room were evident from the photographs.
The hearing continues.
(JM/BMcC)
Details of millionaire Christopher Foster's "severe financial difficulty" were revealed today at a hearing into the deaths of the 50-year-old, his wife Jill and teenage daughter Kirstie.
The hearing was told Mr Foster's thermal insulation company, Ulva Ltd, went into liquidation in October 2007, leaving him in financial difficulty.
Police believe he killed his wife Jill, 49, and his 15-year-old wife before burning their £1.2 million mansion in Maesbrook, Shropshire.
A Home Office pathologist said Mr Foster probably died as a result of smoke inhalation in the blaze.
During the inquest, at Shrewsbury Magistrates, it was also heard in December 2005, Mr Foster told police his former accountant was blackmailing him over a joint property deal in Cyprus.
Two defendants were prosecuted and found not guilty at Shrewsbury Crown Court in November 2006.
Dr Alexander Kolar, said there was "no evidence" that Mr Foster had died of a gunshot wound, though he added he could not rule this out.
He also said the 50-year-old would have been alive during the fire, but probably died in "tens of minutes" from inhaling smoke.
Photographs of the five-bedroom house, taken before and after the fire, were shown during the inquest.
Containers of heating oil on the floor at the property's dining room were evident from the photographs.
The hearing continues.
(JM/BMcC)
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19 December 2008
Mansion Family Fire Funeral Held
The funeral of a millionaire and the wife and teenage daughter he is believed to have killed is due to take place today. Businessman Christopher Foster, 50, is believed to have shot dead his wife Jill, 49, and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie, before setting fire to their mansion in Maesbrook, Shropshire, in August.
Mansion Family Fire Funeral Held
The funeral of a millionaire and the wife and teenage daughter he is believed to have killed is due to take place today. Businessman Christopher Foster, 50, is believed to have shot dead his wife Jill, 49, and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie, before setting fire to their mansion in Maesbrook, Shropshire, in August.
29 August 2008
Police To Re-Enter Arson House
Police are hoping to resume searching inside the fire-gutted Osbaston House later today as their search for clues into the occupants' fate continues. Earlier today officers had to pull out of the severely damaged house, in its own extensive grounds near Maesbrook, Shropshire, because of falling debris.
Police To Re-Enter Arson House
Police are hoping to resume searching inside the fire-gutted Osbaston House later today as their search for clues into the occupants' fate continues. Earlier today officers had to pull out of the severely damaged house, in its own extensive grounds near Maesbrook, Shropshire, because of falling debris.
25 September 2008
Shropshire Mansion Fire Inquest To Begin
An inquest into the deaths of three members of the same family, whose bodies were found in a burnt-out Shropshire mansion, is to begin today. The bodies of Christopher Foster, 50, his wife Jill, 49, and daughter Kirstie, 15, were found at Osbaston House, Maesbrook on 2 September, following a suspected arson attack.
Shropshire Mansion Fire Inquest To Begin
An inquest into the deaths of three members of the same family, whose bodies were found in a burnt-out Shropshire mansion, is to begin today. The bodies of Christopher Foster, 50, his wife Jill, 49, and daughter Kirstie, 15, were found at Osbaston House, Maesbrook on 2 September, following a suspected arson attack.
28 April 2010
Lack Of Headsets 'Killed British Soldiers'
Three British servicemen were accidentally killed by a US bomb because the radio operator who called in the airstrike did not have a headset, an has inquest heard. British forward air controllers in Afghanistan had to borrow equipment from American colleagues in order to hear radio orders above the noise of gunfire.
Lack Of Headsets 'Killed British Soldiers'
Three British servicemen were accidentally killed by a US bomb because the radio operator who called in the airstrike did not have a headset, an has inquest heard. British forward air controllers in Afghanistan had to borrow equipment from American colleagues in order to hear radio orders above the noise of gunfire.
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One In Three Children Separated From Siblings In Foster Care
One third of children in the UK have been separated from their brothers and sisters when placed in foster care a leading charity discovered by a Freedom of Information request. Action for Children said splitting siblings can ignite feelings of loss and abandonment which can affect emotional and mental health.
One In Three Children Separated From Siblings In Foster Care
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