Officers in Allen, a city 30-miles north of Dallas, were called to the family’s home on Aberdeen Drive on Monday (August 28).
The couple have been identified as Farman and Layla Sherwani. The children have been named as their sons, Mateen, 2, and Shaheen, 12.
Police said the deaths were the result of an apparent triple murder-suicide, but have not yet released further details. The deaths come just three weeks after the family’s 4-year-old daughter, Lyian, drowned in a swimming pool, the Dallas Morning News Reported.
Lyian’s drowning — of which no details were available — was a factor in the family’s deaths, Police Sgt Jonathan Maness told the local news outlet.
Concerns were raised about their welfare by the children’s grandmother, who had been locked out of the family home. A police spokesperson said: “After other family members arrived at the house, police gained access and found four people dead.”
The Islamic Association of Allen hosted a funeral for the family, who were members of the congregation, on Tuesday (August 29).
“From what my understanding is, they were a close-knit family. Few siblings lived on the same street within walking distance of each other. In this type of situation, it’s not easy for any family. In spite of having many family members here, they were really broken.”
The mosque’s Imam, Abdul Rahman Bashir, told Fox 4’s KDFW: “This is definitely news that no one is ready to wake up to hear, let alone the family members, but even for the congregation members who perhaps didn’t even know them.”
The imam said the community had lost a family to a murder-suicide two years ago. Six people died in that case.
“Obviously, it’s something that really punches the gut of the entire community, especially since we experienced something like this not too long ago,” said Bashir.
“This is a message I’ve been telling the congregation for a while now. If there is something that is bothering you, please reach out to someone,” he added.
Bashir said the Islamic Association of Allen has partnered with the Muslim Association for Psychological Services so that mental health professionals will be available for anyone who needs help coping with the tragedy.
One of the victims was a fifth-grader at Olson Elementary School. In a letter to parents, the school’s principal Susanne Miller wrote: “We are all shocked and saddened by this news. I ask that you please keep the family and loved ones in your thoughts over the coming days and months.”
