Mansion blaze man's mother says: I didn't know about his debts

The mother of the tycoon who is thought to have shot dead his family before setting his £1.2million mansion on fire and killing himself has said that she knew nothing of his debts.

Police believe Christopher Foster killed wife Jillian and daughter Kirstie last month because the collapse of his company meant he was facing the loss of his home to bailiffs.

Speaking for the first time, his mother Enid Foster, 78, said: ‘Christopher 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. I don’t think he could face telling them that they were going to lose everything.

‘But I am in no way condoning what he has done. It is very hard.’

Foster also shot the family’s horses and dogs just hours before bailiffs were due at the house in Maesbrook, Shropshire.

In a statement released by West Mercia Police, Mrs Foster also paid tribute to her 15-year-old granddaughter Kirstie.

‘I’ve lost a dearly loved son, daughter-in-law and beautiful granddaughter.

‘Kirstie was just a lovely girl. Life will never be the same without them.’

Mrs Foster’s brother Roger Doley, of Perton, Wolverhampton, added: ‘There is so much to remember.

'It is just sad that I am never going to see them ever again.’