In Houston's diverse Chinese community, the brutal murder the Cypress familyi has become the main focus of many.
"The cruel way they did the crime, it must be some hatred -- or just crazy people," family friend Elaine Zhang said.
Zhang spent a lot of time with Mei Xie, the mother who was killed, along with her husband and two boys.
"She is one of the few friends I met when I arrived in Houston," she said.
The mother took the boys, ages 7 and 9, every weekend to a local Chinese school. Teachers tell Eyewitness News they first realized something was wrong on January 26, when the kids didn't show up for class. Their bodies were discovered a few days later in their home.
Every detail of this quadruple murder has been dutifully reported in local Chinese newspapers and online. Charlie Zheng, president of the Bilingual Chinese Journalists Association, says it's been difficult to get people to open up.
"Basically we are calling the Asian community, the Chinese community, if you know something, call the officer," Zheng said.
And within the last 24 hours, activists within the Chinese community have organized a candlelight vigil this weekend, hoping to bring attention and help investigators find additional clues.
"We are angry and shocked and we have to do something as Chinese and as residents in Houston. We must do something," Houston resident Yingying Sun said.
With still few clues to go on, and no obvious motive, an entire community, as well as friends, remain on edge.
"They are normal family, seemed to have a very happy life, peaceful life, to me," Zhang said.
A candlelight vigil is scheduled to be held at 4:30pm Saturday in the family's Cypress subdivision.
Meanwhile, we're told family members in China are trying to secure visas to come to the United States and find out more about the murders.
Anyone with information about this case can contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS or the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
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