Houston Restauranteur Couple and Children Found Dead, Police Suspect Murder-Suicide

A restaurateur couple, along with their two kids, were found dead in a shocking triple murder-suicide. The deceased couple has been identified as Matthew and Thy Mitchell, according to the police.

When relatives and the family’s babysitter reported that they had not heard from them since the night of May 3, they became concerned. After a distress call from the babysitter, police conducted a wellness check on the family and found them dead.

The Houston Police arrived at 5:30 p.m. and entered the home. Inside, they found all four family members dead with gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said initial evidence indicates that the father, Matthew Mitchell, 52, shot his wife and children before turning the gun on himself. Thy Mitchell was 39, while their daughter was 8 years old and their son was 4. Police have not released details about the children.

The deaths have devastated both the family and members of the local community. Thy’s sister, Ly Mai, confirmed the loss in a public message.

“We are heartbroken to share that my sister, Thy, and her beloved children, Maya and Max, passed away last night,” Ly Mai wrote in a Facebook post on May 5. She asked for privacy as the family grieves and said funeral plans will be shared later.

Friends and colleagues remembered Thy Mitchell as energetic and deeply committed to her family and work. Brittany Meisnar, who worked with her as a publicist, also shared the grief online. “There are truly no words,” Meisner captioned an Instagram post. “Thy was not only a client, but a great friend. She was a devoted mother and business woman, and we are completely devastated and heartbroken a million times over again.”

The Mitchells were known in Houston for their restaurant Traveler’s Table, which they opened in 2019. Through their restaurant, they built a reputation for globally inspired dishes with a modern touch.

In 2024, they expanded their business with a second venture, Traveler’s Cart. Matthew Mitchell had a diverse professional background. He studied at Emory University, spent time abroad in Europe, and later worked as a journalist in cities such as London, Paris and New York before shifting to the pharmaceutical industry. Thy Mitchell, on the other hand, grew up in Houston and developed an early love for food while helping at her family’s Vietnamese restaurant. She also had degrees from the University of Houston and Penn State University.

As the investigation continues, police are looking for answers to several questions, including the motive behind the deaths.