HPD is currently investigating a tragic shooting in Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood that left four family members dead in a suspected murder-suicide. Officers arrived at a home on the 2100 block of Kingston Street around 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, for a welfare check. Upon entry, they discovered the bodies of a father, a pregnant mother, and two children, aged 4 and 8.
The investigation was triggered when a babysitter and a relative grew concerned after being unable to contact the family. The mother had last been seen alive during a dinner with a relative on Sunday night, suggesting the incident likely occurred between then and Monday afternoon. When police entered the residence, they found the two children deceased in their beds, while the parents were located in another area of the home.
While detectives are treating the case as a murder-suicide, a specific motive has not yet been established. Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz described the scene as “heartbreaking” and noted that there were no signs of forced entry, leading investigators to believe the threat was internal. Forensic teams are currently processing the scene to confirm the timeline of events and the official causes of death.
UPDATE MAY 05 2026:
Matthew Mitchell (52) and Thy Mitchell (39), prominent Houston restaurateurs, were identified as victims in a triple murder-suicide in River Oaks, which also claimed the lives of their two children. Authorities believe Matthew Mitchell killed his wife—who was pregnant—and their children before taking his own life.
The Mitchells, owners of Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart, were recently named “Restaurateurs of the Year” for 2025, leaving the local culinary community in shock. While the HPD Homicide Division investigates a motive, Traveler’s Table remains open to support staff during this time.