One of two bodies found at the burnt-out Shropshire home of missing millionaire businessman Christopher Foster has been identified as his wife Jill.
Mrs Foster died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head and a murder investigation has been launched.
The second body is said to be that of an adult man but has not been formally identified, police said.
Superintendent Gary Higgins, of West Mercia Constabulary, said: ‘We are certain that one of the bodies is that of Jill Foster and the other is believed to be that of a man.’
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 rim fire rifle which was legitimately owned by Christopher Foster.
A dog found near the bodies died of a gunshot wound, a post-mortem examination revealed.
Three horses and three dogs found in outbuildings in the mansion's grounds had also been shot dead.
‘Further tests are needed to establish whether the rifle found was the one used in the murder and to kill the animals,’ Supt Higgins said.
Spent and unspent gun cartridges were found scattered around the grounds of the property.
Forensic experts are continuing their investigation in the wreckage of the building in Maesbrook.
Search teams were forced to withdraw from the main part of the house last night due to fears the walls might collapse but the search was able to resume this afternoon.
Supt Higgins said it may take several days, or even weeks, to complete the examination of the house due to its size and the amount of debris inside.
A special church service was held in Shropshire this morning for the family.
Officers recovered the two bodies inside Osbaston House on Friday night
A search for a possible third body at the home is ongoing.
It has been reported that Kirstie may have been talking online to friends in the hours before the fire.
Flames destroyed a stable block and a garage as well as part of the main residence.
Mr Foster amassed his fortune developing insulation technology for oil rigs.
But earlier this year the businessman was branded ‘bereft of the basic instincts of commercial morality’ by a High Court judge.
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 Stg800,000 (€992,142) in tax.
