Family of four found dead in Houston home in suspected murder-suicide

Authorities in Houston are investigating the deaths of a family of four — including two children, a pregnant mother and a father — in what police believe may be a murder-suicide at a River Oaks home, according to multiple local reports.

The Houston Police Department (HPD) responded to a welfare check at a residence in the upscale River Oaks neighborhood just before 5:30 p.m. local time on Monday, May 4, after a babysitter reportedly raised concerns when she was unable to reach the family, NBC affiliate Click2Houston, Fox 26 Houston, and ABC affiliate KTRK reported.

When officers entered the home, they discovered four people dead at the scene: two adults and two children, aged 4 and 8, authorities said.

Police have not publicly released the identities of the victims, but Fox 26 Houston reported the deceased were a father, a pregnant mother, and their two young children.

Officials said the children were last seen on Sunday, May 3, while the mother was reportedly seen having dinner with a relative that same evening.

Investigators believe the case may be a murder-suicide, though they have not confirmed who may have been responsible or the circumstances leading up to the deaths.

The victims were found inside their home in River Oaks, a well-known affluent neighborhood in Houston. Authorities said the investigation is still in its early stages.

A neighbor, identified as Cindy, told Click2Houston that the tragedy has deeply shaken the community.

“I've lived in this neighborhood for 19 years and never seen anything like this,” she said. “We haven't had these kinds of tragedies. We don't have robberies.”

She added, “We have incredible constables in this neighborhood, but it's very sad. I just shake for the little kids.”

HPD officials have not yet released further details, and the investigation remains ongoing.