Man, two women dead in apparent double murder-suicide in Irving, police say

IRVING — A man and two women were found dead Tuesday in what police said was a double murder-suicide.

At about 11 a.m., Irving police received a call from a woman who requested a welfare check on her brother in the 400 block of Renaissance Lane, police said. The woman who called said she believed there may have been a suicide, police said.

When officers arrived, they saw a man outside a two-story brick home decorated for Halloween with pumpkins and cobwebs. The man ran back into the house when he saw the officers, police said.

Officers then forced their way into the home using an explosive device on the door, police said. They found a man and two women dead inside. Police did not say which person committed suicide after killing the other two.

Police said they believe all three adults knew each other, but the relationship between them is unclear. Police did not release their names or ages.

The case is being investigated as a domestic violence incident, police confirmed Tuesday.

Irving police spokesman Robert Reeves said during the pandemic, tensions are likely to run high as people continue to stay at home. October is domestic violence awareness month, and Reeves encouraged anyone experiencing domestic violence at home should contact the Irving Family Advocacy Center.

“If you know someone who is being abused, to be that advocate may save their lives,” Reeves said.

Reeves said there was no prior history of calls to the home.

Residents said neighborhood is usually quiet. They said that made the gunshots and subsequent explosion Tuesday afternoon more jarring.

“It doesn’t hit you until it hits you right next door,” said Richard Alvarado, who lives across the street.

One neighbor said they occasionally saw the man and one of the two women working out in the garage. Another neighbor said the man usually walked around the neighborhood with his two dogs.

Joanne Ellis, 73, has lived down the block in an adjacent neighborhood for 53 years. Upon hearing the explosion, she said she immediately ran outside.

“People know each other and they help out with each other,” Ellis said. “It’s real neighborly.”