Houston police in Texas discovered the bodies of four members of the Thy Mitchell family at their Kingston Street home on 4/5. Based on evidence at the scene, investigators believe the husband, Matthew Mitchell, 52, shot his wife, Thy Mitchell, 39, and their two children before taking his own life.
The tragedy shocked many Houston residents, as the Mitchell couple were well-known figures in the city's culinary and fashion communities. They owned two popular restaurants, Traveler's Table and Traveler's Cart, and also operated the Foreign Fare fashion brand.
"I am truly shocked. Thy Mitchell was visionary, creative, and sincere," said Gloria Benedict, a family acquaintance.
 |
The house where the bodies of the four family members were found on Kingston Street, Houston. *Photo: Houston Chronicle*
Restaurant owners across Houston also expressed shock and grief. Last week, Thy Mitchell chaired a Houston Restaurant Association board meeting, attended by 50 restaurant owners.
"This is truly a tragedy. I am heartbroken. We will miss them dearly," expressed Ronnie Nguyen, owner of Roostar Vietnamese Grill.
"No words can describe this loss. She was a true leader in the industry, unafraid to speak up, and often uplifted those around her," wrote Sandy Nguyen, owner of Saigon Hustle and Sunday Press, on Instagram.
The Texas Restaurant Association stated it would "stand with the Greater Houston hospitality community during this tragedy."
Police have not released the motive behind the tragedy. In a 12/2024 interview with Morning Honey, Thy had discussed the pressures and risks of running two restaurants.
 |
Matthew and Thy Mitchell. *Photo: Houston Chronicle*
"The most stressful thing is always the risk of failure, knowing that many employees and their families rely on your business for their livelihood," Thy said, noting their two restaurants employed over 150 people.
Both Thy and Matthew Mitchell grew up in Houston. Thy was born in Chicago to Vietnamese immigrant parents and helped her family run a Vietnamese restaurant from a young age. Matthew previously worked in pharmaceuticals and journalism.
The family's neighborhood, located about 8 km from downtown Houston, is home to notable figures such as televangelist Joel Osteen, Senator Ted Cruz, and former boxer George Foreman. A neighbor stated the Mitchell family had recently moved to the area.
This tragedy occurred six months after a similar incident in California, where Vietnamese-American businesswoman Paula Truong died by suicide after shooting her husband and two daughters at their home. Truong had owned several coffee shops in the US but faced business losses and bankruptcy following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Duc Trung (According to KHOU 11, Houston Chronicle, Texas Tribune)
