UK:A murder investigation was launched yesterday after one of two bodies found at the burnt-out Shropshire home of missing businessman Christopher Foster was identified as his wife, police said.
A postmortem examination revealed Jill Foster, who was identified through dental records, died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head.
The second body, said to be that of an adult man, has not been formally identified and no cause of death had been established.
Supt Gary Higgins, of West Mercia Constabulary, said further tests would be carried out and added: "Clearly we will be seeking to establish whether it is the body of Christopher Foster."
Mr Foster, Mrs Foster and their 15-year-old daughter Kirstie were last seen at a friend's barbecue last Monday, before they returned home to Osbaston House, near Oswestry, that evening.
Supt Higgins said the two bodies were found close to one another and a rifle was found nearby. A gun has been identified as a .22 rimfire rifle that was legally owned by Christopher Foster. A dog found near the bodies died of a gunshot wound, a postmortem examination revealed. Three horses and three dogs found in outbuildings in the mansion's grounds had also been shot dead.
Supt Higgins said it might take several days, or even weeks, to complete the examination of the house due to its size and the amount of debris inside.
It has been reported that Kirstie Foster may have been talking online to friends before the fire took hold at around 4am. Police are examining the teenager's computer.
Mr Foster amassed his fortune developing insulation technology for oil rigs. But earlier this year he was branded "bereft of the basic instincts of commercial morality" by a High Court judge, who added that he was someone "not to be trusted".
Court documents show that Mr Foster's company, Ulva Ltd, which had gone into liquidation, faced legal action from one of its suppliers for thousands of pounds and also owed about £800,000 (€989,224) in tax.
A former business associate of Mr Foster said he feared the millionaire may have "just flipped because the pressure of it was too much for him".
Accountant Terence Baines, a former director of Ulva Ltd, said: "It's anyone's guess, but it seems that the people he owed money to are big companies and I can't see them behind something like this." - (PA)