HOUSTON \u2013 The family of Thy Mai has released its first and only official public statement since a tragic shooting in Houston\u2019s River Oaks area left four family members dead earlier this month.<\/p>\n
In the statement released Monday, the family clarified several details surrounding the investigation and asked for privacy, compassion, and accuracy in reporting.<\/p>\n
The family said reports claiming Thy Mai was pregnant at the time of her death are false.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo law enforcement official has made such a statement, and no such information appears in the autopsy report,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n
The family also clarified how the welfare check at the home was initiated.<\/p>\n
According to the statement, the children\u2019s babysitter went to pick up Max and Maya from school but discovered the children had never arrived. After repeated phone calls went unanswered, Thy Mai\u2019s sister contacted 911 and requested a welfare check at the family\u2019s home.<\/p>\n
The family emphasized that no relatives or other individuals entered the home before law enforcement arrived.<\/p>\n
Authorities previously said officers with the Houston Police Department responded to a welfare check at a home in the 2100 block of Kingston Street around 5:25 p.m. on May 4.<\/p>\n
Investigators found four people dead inside the residence \u2014 a 52-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman, an 8-year-old girl, and a 4-year-old boy.<\/p>\n
Police said preliminary evidence indicates the incident was a murder-suicide. Investigators believe the man shot the three victims before turning the gun on himself.<\/p>\n
While authorities have not officially released the identities of the victims pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, property records linked the home to Matthew and Thy Mitchell.<\/p>\n
The family asked that Thy be remembered as Thy Mai.<\/p>\n
The statement also addressed the future of the family\u2019s businesses.<\/p>\n
Traveler\u2019s Table and Traveler\u2019s Cart will continue normal operations, according to the family. However, Foreign Fare will temporarily pause operations as the family focuses on funeral arrangements and grieving.<\/p>\n
The family said operations will resume at a later date in honor of Thy Mai and \u201cthe passion she poured into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The family also announced the creation of the Thy Mai Foundation<\/a> in honor of Thy Mai, Maya, and Max.<\/p>\n