15-year-old found brother and sister-in-law dead in murder-suicide in Channelview, sheriff says
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A husband and wife are dead after an apparent murder-suicide at an apartment complex in the Channelview area Wednesday morning. The man's teenage brother reportedly found the couple dead.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said deputies responded to an apartment complex located at 973 Ashland Blvd and found two Hispanic adults of Honduran decent dead with gunshot wounds.
He said preliminary information suggested the incident was a murder-suicide -- with the 28-year-old husband shooting his 25-year-old wife before turning the gun on himself -- though the investigation is ongoing.
Gonzalez said family members described the couple as married, though it may be common-law. They have reportedly been dating as long as 10 years -- living together for five years and living at the apartment where the shooting happened for one year.
Family reportedly told deputies that the couple had a known history of domestic abuse. Gonzalez said it was unclear if there had ever been any calls for service at the Ashland Boulevard address.
The husband was reportedly intoxicated on Tuesday night and began arguing with his wife throughout the evening, Gonzalez said. Family members told deputies that behavior was routine for the husband.
At around 5:30 or 6 a.m. on Wednesday, the man's 15-year-old brother, who was sleeping in another room, woke up to the sound of gunshots. Gonzalez said he walked into the couple's bedroom and found them both shot.
Investigators believe the teenager had been living with his brother for a year. Officials were reaching out to other family members and Child Protective Services to coordinate placement for the 15-year-old.
"You know, this is the second day in a row. And these are the faces of murder-suicide in our communities. It could be intimate partner violence, in this case, husband and wife. It could also be mother and daughter," Gonzalez said. "These situations, unfortunately, are far too common in our county. A lot of our murders are a result of domestic violence."
Gonzalez said there are an average of 11 murder-suicides each week across the U.S.
The Channelview incident comes less than 24 hours after two teenagers found their mom and her 6-year-old daughter dead in another apparent murder-suicide near Spring.
Investigators said the mother shot her 6-year-old daughter before turning the gun on herself in the 1800 block of Vernal Glen Circle.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, or worried about a friend or loved one, help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text TALK to 741-741 for free confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
SEE ALSO: Teens find bodies after mom kills 6-year-old daughter in apparent murder-suicide near Spring: HCSO
