A relative described medical expenses and changes in Carlos Shelton’s behavior, while police say the exact motive remains undetermined.
FLOWER MOUND, Texas — A relative of three people who died in a Flower Mound double homicide and suicide says medical expenses and financial problems had weighed on the family, offering new context as police continue investigating without an established motive.
Jose Zamarippa, who is married to the daughter of Carlos and Elida Shelton, told FOX 4 that Carlos Shelton had experienced medical problems that resulted in expensive bills. He also described Shelton as increasingly withdrawn before the deaths. The relative’s account has not been identified by police as a confirmed explanation for what happened, and investigators have not announced an exact motive.
Flower Mound police identified the dead as Carlos Shelton, 65; his wife, Elida Shelton, 63; and their adult son, Brian Shelton, 27. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office classified Carlos Shelton’s death as a suicide and the deaths of Elida and Brian Shelton as homicides. Police said detectives believe Carlos Shelton was responsible for the two homicides before taking his own life.
The three were found Sept. 23 after police were asked to conduct a welfare check at their home in the 10700 block of Sunrise Circle. Two residents had failed to report to work, and relatives could not reach them, according to police. Officers arrived at about 10:43 a.m. and entered the residence after gathering information at the scene. They found all three dead with apparent gunshot wounds.
Zamarippa told FOX 4 that Carlos Shelton had been dealing with medical bills and that a significant share of his money was going toward those expenses. He suggested rising costs and the financial burden may have left Shelton overwhelmed. That assessment represents the family member’s view rather than a finding by investigators, and authorities have not publicly linked the deaths to debt, medical expenses or another specific cause.
The relative also said Carlos Shelton had become withdrawn and was behaving differently before the deaths. Such observations provide a family perspective on the period leading up to the incident but do not establish why the killings occurred. Police have released no finding connecting a change in behavior to the homicides, and no publicly released evidence establishes a definitive motive.
Zamarippa also described Brian Shelton as having recently completed training to become a ministry leader at his church. His account adds detail about the 27-year-old’s life shortly before his death. Police have not indicated that Brian Shelton’s church activities had any connection to the case.
Authorities have disclosed little about the family’s circumstances before the deaths. Deputy Chief Jim Ball previously told FOX 4 that officers had responded to the residence for a domestic disturbance in 2023. He described that earlier call as a verbal dispute between the homeowners that did not result in an offense. Police have not said that incident was connected to the deaths three years later.
The distinction between the family’s account and the official investigation remains important. The medical examiner’s findings and police investigation have established the manners of death and led detectives to identify who they believe was responsible. They have not established why the killings occurred. The financial and medical difficulties described by Zamarippa remain one relative’s account of pressures Carlos Shelton faced before the deaths.
Police said all three family members lived at the Sunrise Circle home. Detectives are not seeking an outstanding suspect and have said there is no known threat to the public. The Flower Mound Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate, and authorities have not released a final determination of motive.
Author note: Last updated September 27, 2026.