Houston restaurant couple, 2 young children dead in suspected River Oaks murder-suicide

Houston’s culinary community is reeling after the deaths of a prominent restaurateur couple and their two young children in what police say was an apparent murder-suicide at the family’s River Oaks home.

The bodies of Thy Mitchell, her husband Matthew Mitchell, and their two children, ages 4 and 8, were discovered by Houston police during a welfare check Monday evening at their home in the River Oaks area. The Houston Police Department has named Matthew, age 52, as the suspect in the case, though formal identification of all victims remained pending with the Harris County Institute for Forensic Sciences as of Tuesday.

The shooting was reported around 5:30 p.m. at the home on Kingston Street, near Avalon Place. According to police, evidence at the scene indicates that the man shot the woman and children before shooting himself. A babysitter and a family member had reported not hearing from the Mitchells since Sunday night, prompting the welfare check.

The Mitchells owned and operated Traveler’s Table, on Westheimer Road in Montrose, and Traveler’s Cart, on Montrose Boulevard. The couple also operated a clothing brand and had been named the 2025 Restaurateurs of the Year by the Houston Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association.

Craig Howard, president of the Houston Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association, said Thy Mitchell had hosted an association board meeting just days before her death. “She hosted the Houston Restaurant Association board meeting last week,” he said. “Afterward, they had a social for us, and had 50 restaurateurs show up. Great operation. Wonderful staff, great food.”

Mr. Howard said Thy Mitchell had recently been invited to join the association’s board. “We saw such a bright star with Thy that we asked her to serve on our board. We knew she would inject some new ideas,” he said. “It looked like this was a successful power couple doing this together.”

Chef Jassi Bindra, who had been planning a collaboration dinner with Ms. Mitchell, described the shock felt across Houston’s restaurant world. “She was so energetic. She loved the restaurant world,” Mr. Bindra said. “It’s really shocking to hear what happened. All our support goes to her family and friends.”

Thy Mitchell’s sister, Ly Mai, confirmed via social media that Thy and her two children had died but did not disclose the circumstances of their deaths. “Our family is grieving deeply and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” Ms. Mai wrote. 

According to the Houston Police Department, there were no prior records of domestic violence calls to the residence. A search of county court records also revealed no history of civil lawsuits or criminal investigations involving the couple prior to the shooting. 

A statement from the restaurants said that Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart remained open, with staff continuing to serve the community “through these difficult circumstances.” The statement asked for “unity and respect for our privacy” as those connected to the Mitchells navigate the loss.