Former Decorah resident has been killed in what is described as a murder-suicide

The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office near Houston, Texas, says four people were killed over the weekend in what the Sheriff's Office is describing as a murder-suicide.

Dispatchers received a call shortly after 4:15 Sunday morning that asked for deputies to check on an adult male who might be suicidal and/or might want to harm his family.  When they arrived at the location, no one answered the door.  Deputies then spotted two apparently dead people in the kitchen area, so they broke down the door.

Inside the home, four people were found dead, apparently from gunshot wounds. 48-year-old Ryan Brown apparently shot his wife, 49-year-old Lynnette Brown, a former Decorah resident, their two dogs and their two sons, 16-year-old Sam Brown and 13-year-old Hayes Brown, then turned the gun on himself.

"This is heartbreaking that an entire family is wiped out from the actions of one person," said Sheriff Troy Nehls.