Now, her husband has been charged with murder, according to Houston police.
Houston Police Department officers responded twice on Tuesday to the Sonesta Extended Stay Suites on Bay Area Boulevard near Highway 3.
Police said they first responded to the hotel at about 8:30 p.m. after a dispute over child custody issues between Jyron Charles Lee and his common-law wife, both in their 20s.
Investigators said the woman was staying with their 3-year-old and 1-year-old at the motel.
The issue was reportedly settled, and officers left, but about two hours later, at about 10:30 p.m., police said Lee called 911. When Harris County Precinct 8 constable deputies arrived, they found his wife with trauma to her neck on the ground.
Responders performed CPR, but officials said the woman had already died.
Investigators spoke with Lee, who they say claimed the woman was choking one of the children, which prompted him to get involved.
"He got behind her and put her in a chokehold, he said, to stop her, and he said she went unconscious, and that's when he called us," HPD Lt. R. Wilkens said.
Lee was detained at the scene and further investigation led to him being charged with his wife's murder, according to police.
SEE ORIGINAL REPORTING:
Husband will be charged after woman killed in front of kids, HPD says