According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a suicide note was found in the submerged vehicle.
CHANNELVIEW, Texas — We have an update to a story we told you about in April. A woman who was behind the wheel of an SUV when it plunged into the San Jacinto River with three kids on board drove into the water intentionally, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
It happened on Friday, April 25. Investigators say the 39-year-old woman was driving an SUV near Market Street and River Haven in the Channelview area with her three kids onboard. The woman and her one-year-old daughter didn’t survive. Two older children — ages 5 and 7 at the time — were saved by a good Samaritan.
At first, investigators believed she had a medical episode. In a post to social media Thursday night, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that a suicide note was found in the submerged vehicle and that the case has been changed to a murder-suicide.
At the time of the crash, Major Cedric Collier with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said video in the area showed the vehicle start and stop as if the driver was in distress. Shortly after, the vehicle went into the water.
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Resources for suicide prevention
Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs of suicide and taking them seriously. Talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life.
If you or anyone you know is in need of help, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text the lifeline at 741741 or chat online here.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
You can also reach out to UT Physicians here.