North Texas

Deaths of Father, His 2 Children the Result of a Double Murder-Suicide: Police

The deaths of father and his two children, whose bodies were found inside a fire-damaged North Texas home, were the result of a double murder and a suicide, police say.

The Grayson County Sheriff's Office said 45-year-old David Lee Small committed suicide and "caused the death of his two children," 9-year-old Ashley Reagan Small and 8-year-old Grant David Small.

A coroner on Monday did not immediately provide causes of death, but said the children and their father showed significant signs of smoke inhalation and no other trauma. No further information regarding the manner of deaths was released.

Firefighters arrived at the home on the 100 block of Keppler Road, outside of Van Alstyne, at about 2:30 p.m. Sunday. After the fire was put out, the bodies of the father and his children were found inside.

Two pets were also found deceased inside the home.

The Grayson County Sheriff's Office had no history of calls to the home.

The sheriff's department will lead the investigation into the incident, with assistance from the Grayson County Fire Marshal's Office.

Van Alstyne is located about 30 minutes north of McKinney.

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