A welfare check in an upscale Houston neighborhood on May 4 resulted in the discovery of four relatives who were fatally shot inside their southeast Texas house, authorities said.
The Houston Police Department reported a murder-suicide investigation into the deaths of four individuals: a 4-year-old boy, an 8-year-old girl, a 52-year-old man, and a 39-year-old woman on May 5.
“This appears to be a family matter, but that doesn’t make it any better,” Detective L. Brooks told reporters at a news conference following the discovery. “It’s terrible… shocking for sure.”
Officers rushed to the family’s house in the city’s River Oaks neighborhood at 5:30 p.m. CT on May 4, after a babysitter reported that she had not heard from the family in 24 hours.
Police added that when authorities arrived at the house, they discovered that all four members were unresponsive. The youngsters were discovered dead in their beds.
Police have not provided any other information about the crime, including where the adults were discovered in the home, due to an ongoing investigation.
The adults were identified by the Houston Chronicle and KTRK-TV as Matthew and Thy Mitchell, owners of Traveler’s Table, a restaurant near their home.
Thy Mitchell’s sister verified the death of the woman and her children on Facebook. We are deeply saddened to announce that my sister, Thy, and her darling children, Maya and Max, died last night,” Ly Mai said in the May 5 message. “Our family is grieving deeply and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”
The family lived in an affluent neighborhood about five miles east of downtown Houston, which is home to prominent citizens such as televangelist Joel Osteen, Senator Ted Cruz, and former professional boxer George Foreman.
Who was killed in River Oaks?
Officials have not confirmed the motive in the case.
According to authorities, the evidence at the scene showed that the occurrence was a murder-suicide in which the male shot the three victims before shooting himself.
Authorities stated that they will not confirm the victims’ names until they are validated by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
An autopsy will reveal the official cause and manner of death for each relative. Anyone with information on the case is requested to contact police at 713-308-3600.
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