The family had checked in Wednesday before workers entered the room Friday.
HOUSTON, Texas — Hotel employees found a mother and her two children dead Friday after entering a room where staff had not heard from the guests for two days, Houston police said.
The discovery at the Residence Inn by Marriott on Kirby Drive started a homicide investigation into what police described as an apparent murder-suicide. Authorities said the mother was about 40 years old and the children were a 6-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy.
Police said the family checked in Wednesday and remained out of contact until staff members decided to check the room Friday. Workers used a pass to enter and found all three dead inside. Officers were called shortly before noon. Houston Police Department Lt. Larry Crowson said the scene suggested the woman shot both children and then herself.
Investigators had not said whether any guests reported hearing gunfire. Crowson said police did not know the exact time of the shooting, but early evidence suggested it did not happen Friday. The names of the mother and children were withheld while authorities worked through notifications and the early stages of the investigation.
The hotel sits near Main Street, Old Spanish Trail, the Texas Medical Center and NRG Stadium. The area has steady hotel use from medical visitors, business travelers and event crowds. Police did not announce an evacuation or broader public safety threat after the bodies were discovered.
Houston homicide detectives are expected to review hotel records, key-card data, surveillance video and any items found in the room. The medical examiner will determine the official causes and manners of death. Police said many questions remain unanswered, including why the family was at the hotel and what happened between check-in Wednesday and the staff check Friday.
Officials said the investigation remained active Saturday. The next public update is expected after detectives confirm the victims’ identities and complete more of the timeline.
Author note: Last updated July 4, 2026.