Family of Four Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide in Texas.

A Fort Bend, Texas family is dead today after what police are presuming was a murder-suicide. The discovery came early this morning when police stopped by the residence on a "welfare check" called in by a relative of the home.

Via Click 2 Houston:

"Around 4:15 a.m. Sunday, a relative requested a welfare check at her son’s residence in the 9200 block of Sabastian Drive, near Highway 6 in the Mission Bend area. The woman stated that she hadn’t heard from her son in several hours, Sheriff Troy E. Nehls said.

While conducting the welfare check, officials with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office circled the house, looked through a window and found two people deceased in the kitchen area, Nehls said. They forced their way inside and discovered two more people dead in the home. Deputies also found two dogs shot and killed."

Neighbors in the quiet community described the family as average. They often let their children play with others in the neighborhood and walked their dogs in the area. They never had a concern for the family or thought that they weren't as they appeared to be. . . It's clear that they were mistaken.

"The family has been identified as Ryan Brown, 48, Lynnette Brown, 49, Sam Brown, 16, and Hayes Brown, 13, according to FBCSO. The father appears to have killed his wife, two sons, and two dogs before turning the gun on himself, according to officials."

Police report that they have never been called to the Brown residence before and they are unclear what the motive for the murders could be. They are questioning the relative who called in the welfare check to see exactly what prompted the call.