HOUSTON — A man and a woman were found dead with gunshot wounds in an apparent murder-suicide in west Houston early Thursday, according to the Houston Police Department.
The woman has been identified by her family as Jadee Turner, 32. The family said she was shot while she was asleep and then her ex-boyfriend turned the gun on himself
Family members, including the victim's father, stepmother, older sister, and cousins showed up at the scene following the deadly shooting. They said the family had just gotten together at Thanksgiving and for a family reunion and were looking forward to spending time with Turner.
The family said they are devastated and shocked by the sudden loss. They added that they are heartbroken for everyone involved.
"This was so unexpected, so unexpected,” Lashee Jones, a cousin of the victim, said.
She said Turner was known for her bubbly personality and positive energy.
"She liked to laugh, she liked to sing, she didn't bother nobody," said Leticia Jackson Turner, the victim’s stepmother.“ She had a good spirit. Good spirit. She was just a really good person."
They said the man accused of pulling the trigger was the victim's ex-boyfriend. The family said she had ended their one-year relationship a little more than a week ago.
It was a decision they said he did not take well.
"She just wanted some space, and he wouldn't give her space." her stepmother said.
What happened
The shooting happened just after 2 a.m. at an apartment on Woodchase Drive near the Westpark Tollway and Beltway 8.
Houston police said officers responded to a report of a shooting and found a woman, believed to be in her 30s, with a gunshot wound to her head. They also found a man, believed to be in his 40s, in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound.
The woman lives in the apartment with her uncle. Investigators said her ex-boyfriend called the uncle and asked him to meet him at the front gate of the complex so he could give him money.
Investigators said when the uncle left the apartment to head to the gate, the ex-boyfriend snuck into the apartment through the front door which was left unlocked.
"I guess he had been following her and he just snapped and lured the uncle away," the stepmother said.
When the uncle returned to the apartment, he went to his niece’s room where he discovered her and the ex-boyfriend shot, police said. The uncle told investigators the couple had been broken up for a couple of weeks and did not see this coming.
The family said the uncle had just lost his own son just a few months ago.
The family was seen consoling one another and the father of the ex-boyfriend.
"We lost her, and his family also lost him. We can't blame the family either. We're not mad at them,” Jones said. “We're mad at him for taking her life, she didn't deserve that. She didn't."
The family described the ex-boyfriend as a nice person. They added that they thought he might have mental health issues due to his ex-military background.
The family now hopes their story helps someone in a difficult situation.
"I just think people need to know mental illness is real and be careful,” the stepmother said, “When you see the sign, leave."
The family also shared that the victim worked at Methodist Hospital and was a budding nutritionist.
As for her 40-year-old ex-boyfriend, his exact identity hasn't yet been released.
Resources for victims of domestic or family violence
Domestic and family violence cases in the Houston area have increased at an alarming rate. Victims often suffer in silence because they feel scared, helpless or ashamed.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, here are some discreet ways to reach out for help.
The Houston Area Women’s Center has a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence at 713-528-2121 or 1-800-256-0551.
The Family Time Crisis Center can also be reached 24 hours a day at 281-446-2615.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Crisis Text Line: Text START to 88788.
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.