Millionaire businessman Christopher Foster killed his wife and daughter before setting his country mansion alight and taking his own life, police said today.
They said they were not seeking anyone else in their week-long investigation into the blaze which gutted the family's detached house in Maesbrook, Shropshire.
Mr Foster, his wife Jill (49) and daughter Kirstie (15) had been missing since a fire tore through Osbaston House in Shropshire early last Tuesday.
The bodies of Mr Foster (50) and his wife were found in the ruins of the house on Friday, although Mr Foster's body was not positively identified from dental records until today, police said.
The location of a third body, found on Sunday, suggested that it was that of the couple's daughter, although further tests were required for an identification.
Police said Jill Foster died from a shotgun wound to the head before the fire was started. Causes of death for her husband and their daughter had yet to be established.
"We believe that Mr Foster killed his wife and daughter before setting the fires which destroyed his home," Det Supt Jon Groves said. He added that a rifle discovered near the couple's bodies belonged to Mr Foster.
Police said CCTV footage showed a man they believed to be the businessman in the grounds of the mansion in the early hours of last Tuesday with what appeared to be a rifle.
It also showed outbuildings going up in flames around the same time and a large horse box being driven down the driveway, blocking the main gates.
"A man, again believed to be Mr Foster, is seen to get out of the vehicle and apparently shoot out two of the tyres," said Det Supt Groves.
Detectives have said three horses and four dogs were shot before the fire broke out.
Det Supt Groves said he had decided to release the latest findings in an attempt to end media speculation about the "complex and unusual" case.
It has been reported that Mr Foster's main company Ulva Ltd, which supplied insulation for oil rigs, went into liquidation last year with debts of nearly £1 million.
The Fosters were last seen when they attended a friend’s barbecue on the evening of August 25th.
The family returned home afterwards and Kirstie is thought to have stayed up chatting to friends online until about 1am the next day. Police said the fire at the mansion was started three hours later.
Investigators had to wait three days to get into the house due to the heat and danger of falling debris.