What we know about the River Oaks murder-suicide case of Traveler's Table owner Thy Mitchell's family

Harris County's medical examiner has confirmed Houston restaurateurs Matthew and Thy Mitchell and their two children were pronounced dead on Monday — the same day police said a suspected murder-suicide left a family of four dead at their River Oaks home.

A 52-year-old man shot a 4-year-old boy, 8-year-old girl, 39-year-old woman and himself on the 2100 block of Kingston Street, where patrol units responded for a welfare check Monday evening, according to the Houston Police Department. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has now confirmed the deaths of the entire Mitchell family — Thy, Matthew and their children Maya and Max.

Matthew died by suicide, and Thy, Maya and Max died of gunshot wounds to the head, according to the medical examiner. 

'A TRULY BEAUTIFUL SOUL': Houston's restaurant community mourns Thy Mitchell and her 2 children

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Thy's sister Ly Mai had also said both her sister and the two children died on Monday. She did not reference Matthew Mitchell.

Houston police have not identified any of the victims and were still investigating.

The Mitchells were influential in Houston's dining scene for years, and the triple-murder suicide has devastated friends, family and colleagues throughout the area. 

Here's what we know so far about the case.

The Mitchells were prominent Houston restaurateurs

Thy and Matthew Mitchell owned Traveler's Table and Traveler's Cart in Montrose. They launched Traveler's Table in 2019 and introduced Traveler's Cart in 2024.

The couple traveled together across the world, visiting countries from Morocco to France to inspire their dining brand in Houston. They started a travel clothing line called Foreign Fare in 2023.

Thy was born in Chicago and grew up in Houston, helping at her family's Vietnamese restaurant and working in the industry as she studied at the University of Houston. She eventually entered the hospitality and retail industry, where she became an HR manager before returning to the restaurant business when she and Matthew opened Traveler's Table.

Matthew's career began in journalism after he attended Emory University, and he wrote while living in France, Italy, England, Paris and New York. He started working in the pharmaceutical industry when he returned to Houston and served as the CEO of the Texas Center for Drug Development. He later entered culinary school and received a degree in culinary arts from the Art Institute of Houston before teaming up with Thy.

Police responded to a welfare check

A welfare check drew Houston police to the Mitchells' home Monday evening following calls from a babysitter and the sister of one of the Mitchells. Authorities learned the family "had not been heard from or seen" since Sunday night, police wrote in a statement on Tuesday.

Patrol units were dispatched at around 5:30 p.m., and officers found four people dead with gunshot wounds when they entered the home.

Shooting circumstances remain unclear

Houston police have not released a motive for the shooting, and there were no calls for service at the family’s address during the last six months, according to the department.

It's also unclear when the shooting occurred. Harris County's Institute of Forensic Sciences, which serves as the county's medical examiner, documented the family's deaths at 6:11 p.m. — over 40 minutes after the police dispatch.

One child was River Oaks Elementary student

Maya Mitchell attended River Oaks Elementary School, according to Houston ISD. School counselors and crisis specialists were available to meet with students, parents and staff there on Tuesday, Principal William J. Dedrick said.

“It is with deep regret that we inform you of a recent loss to our school community,” Dedrick said in an email to parents, which the district shared with the Chronicle. “One of our scholars died.”

Houstonians lay flowers outside River Oaks home

Roses, hydrangeas and orchids rested outside the Mitchells' River Oaks home on Kingston Street near Westheimer Road Tuesday evening.

Family photos were taped to a wall above. The home was dark, and shades were drawn on the second floor. 

Mitchells' restaurants remain open

Traveler's Table and Traveler's Cart each remained open after the Mitchells' deaths. Restaurant staff issued a statement Wednesday thanking their staff and asking the public for privacy.

"As Traveler's Table and Traveler's Cart remain open for business, we want to thanks our loyal staff, who have shown up and worked through these difficult circumstances, ensuring that we continue to serve our community," the statement reads. "We are asking for unity and respect for our privacy as we navigate this immense loss. Hospitality comes from within, and to honor the Traveler's Legacy, we will continue to welcome you into our restaurant."

This post includes previous reporting by Aviva Bechky, John Wayne Ferguson, Maliya Ellis and Sondra Hernandez.