The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has ruled that an April incident in which a vehicle went into the San Jacinto River was a murder-suicide. Investigators say a 39-year-old woman drove into the water on April 25 at about 4:45 p.m. The woman and her 1-year-old child died, while her two other children, ages 5 and 7, survived after being rescued by a bystander, according to Click2Houston.
A vehicle carrying a woman and her three children went into the San Jacinto River near 17350 Market Street. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a suicide note was found inside the vehicle and that "investigators were working to determine what caused the vehicle to enter the water," as per Click2Houston. Witnesses saw the two older children on top of the vehicle before it went under. Major Cedric Collier said surveillance video showed the vehicle starting and stopping before entering the river, as if the driver was "in distress," as reported by KHOU.
Following the incident, Major Cedric Collier said, "The surviving children told deputies their mother had been in distress," as mentioned by Click2Houston. Authorities noted the case may lead to further discussions about mental health and safety measures near waterways.
