Osbaston House mansion being demolished

Police found the remains of three family members as well as four dogs and three horses

The mansion home of a Shropshire businessman who murdered his wife and daughter before killing himself is being demolished.

Christopher Foster had £4m debts when he murdered his wife Jill and 15-year-old daughter Kirstie on 26 August 2008.

The 50-year-old then set fire to their £1.2m estate and killed himself.

Property developers GVA said Osbaston House, near Maesbrook, was structurally unsafe and was being knocked down before the land was sold.

A GVA spokesman said: "Demolition of the existing unsafe, fire-damaged building and ground levelling has now commenced, and will conclude shortly.

"Landscaping work will be carried out following the demolition.

"There is no date set for the commencement of marketing regarding the subsequent sale of the site."

Rifle in hands

Mr Foster had been suffering from depression and had mentioned suicidal thoughts to his GP, an inquest into the deaths heard.

CCTV footage, from a camera at the property, showed Mr Foster with a rifle in his hands.

He was also seen driving a large horsebox down the driveway, blocking the main gates to the premises' before getting out of the vehicle and shooting out two of the tyres.

Four dogs and three horses were found shot dead in the house and outbuildings on the 16-acre estate.