A quiet stretch of River Oaks turned into the center of a devastating scene Monday evening, as authorities uncovered what they believe to be a murder-suicide involving a well-known Houston restaurant owner and his family.
Police say 52-year-old Matthew Mitchell is suspected of killing his wife, 39-year-old Thy Mitchell, along with their two young children, 8-year-old Maya and 4-year-old Max, before taking his own life. The family was found inside their home on Kingston Street after a welfare check was requested when calls and messages went unanswered.
Officers arrived around 5:25 p.m. on May 4 and made the grim discovery. All four victims had suffered gunshot wounds. Investigators at the scene quickly began piecing together what had happened inside the home, pointing to evidence that suggests the shootings were carried out by Matthew Mitchell.
The Mitchell family was widely recognized in Houston’s food scene. They owned two popular establishments in the Montrose area, Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart. The restaurants had built a loyal following over the years, making the news even more shocking to those who knew them through their work and community presence.
Authorities have not yet released the official identification of the victims, pending formal verification by forensic officials. Still, confirmation from both property records and the family’s business representatives makes clear that the victims were members of the Mitchell household.
The emotional weight of the loss became public when Thy Mitchell’s sister shared a message online, confirming the deaths. She described her sister and the children as deeply loved and asked for privacy as the family struggles to process the tragedy.
Investigators have not publicly discussed a possible motive. For now, neighbors and friends are left trying to make sense of a heartbreaking situation that unfolded behind closed doors, in a home that once held a young family and a thriving life.
