Police identify siblings killed by father in murder-suicide, as friends admit seeing warning signs

The children who were killed in an apparent murder-suicide have been identified as more details emerge about their father, who appears to have shot himself after killing the children.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Rachel Dawson arrived to her West Richmond Hills, Texas, home on Saturday morning to find grisly scene: Her two children had been shot to death, presumably by her husband, who had then turned the gun on himself.

WFAA reports that authorities have identified the victims as Bree Dawson, 5, and Luke Dawson, 9; both believed to have been killed by their father, Chris Dawson.

The family had reportedly moved to Texas from Phoenix just months before the grisly killing. Ariel Borg told 12 News that she had gotten to know Rachel when they attended the same exercise class.

“I met Rachel at a boot camp class and she would bring her kids, Luke and Bree, sometimes,” she told the news station.

Their friendship came to a halt because of Rachel’s husband’s controlling behavior, Ariel said.

“He was very, very controlling of Rachel to the extent that after a certain point he no longer allowed her to be friends with us… We saw warning signs but I don’t think anyone could have guessed that this would’ve happened.

“It shocked everyone,” she said.

A motive for the apparent murder-suicide is not yet known, and neighbors reportedly said the family had put up Christmas decorations just days before the horrific tragedy.

A GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign has been established to raise money to help cover expenses for the grieving mother.

CrimeOnline will publish an update when more information becomes available.

 

 

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