A prominent Texas restaurateur gunned down his business partner wife and their two young children before fatally shooting himself inside their home, according to authorities and reports.
Matthew Mitchell, 52, Thy Mitchell, 39, and their 8-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son were found dead with gunshot wounds in their River Oaks home on Monday evening, according to the Houston Police Department and KHOU.
Police made the grim discovery after responding to a welfare check at 5:30 p.m. when a family babysitter and a relative reported they had not heard from or seen the family since the previous night.
“Evidence on scene indicated the incident was a murder-suicide in which the male shot the three victims and then shot himself,” police said in a statement.
Matthew and Thy Mitchell were known around the Houston community as the owners of Travelers Table, a restaurant serving “globally curated cuisine” inspired by their family’s travels across the world, Chron reported.
They later opened another restaurant called Traveler’s Cart, serving global street food, according to the local outlet.
The couple’s restaurants have been featured on Food Network programs, including “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” with host Guy Fieri. One of their chefs also appeared on “Beat Bobby Flay,” where he defeated the celebrity chef, Click2Houston reported.
Matthew received a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and worked as a writer and journalist in London, Paris, and New York City, according to his website’s bio.
After returning to Texas, he attended Rice University and worked as a CEO in the pharmaceutical industry. He transitioned into the restaurant industry over a decade later, according to his website’s bio.
Thy grew up working at her grandmother’s and mother’s Vietnamese restaurant and worked in the restaurant industry throughout college. She later held HR leadership roles at three Fortune 500 hospitality and retail companies, according to her biography.
“Her love of travel and food is what brought her and her husband, Matthew, together,” The Traveler’s Table website reads.
Though police have not yet officially identified the victims, Thy Mitchell’s sister, Ly Mai, posted on Facebook to confirm that Thy and her two children died on Monday.
“We are heartbroken to share that my sister, Thy, and her beloved children, Maya and Max, passed away last night,” Mai wrote.
“Our family is grieving deeply and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be shared when they are available.”
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing, with police urging anyone with additional information about the case to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.
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