Police said the case is being investigated as an apparent murder-suicide near NRG Stadium.
HOUSTON, Texas — A 40-year-old woman and her two young children were found dead Friday inside a southwest Houston hotel room after staff checked on the family, police said.
Houston police said the woman appeared to have shot her 6-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son before killing herself. The deaths were reported at the Residence Inn by Marriott on Kirby Drive near Old Spanish Trail, a short distance from NRG Stadium.
Officers were called shortly before noon after hotel workers entered the room because no one had heard from the family since they checked in Wednesday. Houston Police Department Lt. Larry Crowson said the bodies were found inside the room and that investigators believe the shooting may have happened before Friday. “Right now, preliminarily, we believe this to be a murder-suicide,” Crowson said.
The woman and children had not been publicly identified as of Saturday. Police said the children died from gunshot wounds and the woman had an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Crowson said investigators were still working to determine exactly when the shooting happened and what led up to it. “Very tragic incident today, two children unfortunately killed at a very young age,” he said.
The hotel is in the city’s Braeswood area near the Texas Medical Center and NRG Park, a busy district with hotels, hospitals and event traffic. Authorities did not report any threat to other guests or the surrounding area after the bodies were found. Police said the investigation was being handled by homicide detectives.
No charges were expected because the suspected shooter is dead, but investigators still must complete reports, review evidence and notify relatives. Police had not released details about a weapon, possible notes or prior calls involving the family. Crowson said the case appeared to involve mental health issues, but police did not describe a specific diagnosis or history.
By Saturday, the room remained the center of the investigation as police worked to confirm the timeline and identities. The next major step is the release of findings from investigators and the medical examiner.
Author note: Last updated July 4, 2026.