Allen Police say they found four people dead in a home in what investigators say is an apparent murder-suicide. The Islamic Association of Allen confirmed the family was part of their community and held a funeral on Tuesday.
Police were called to the 1200 block of Aberdeen Drive at about 8:45 a.m. Monday to do a welfare check after a resident said they'd been locked out of the home for about two hours and couldn't get anyone to come to the door.
After other family members arrived at the Collin County house, police were able to go inside and that's when they found the bodies of four people.
"It was just really sad and hard and all of us felt for the family as we were watching them mourn in the front yard," said Jacqueline Soto, a neighbor across the street who recently moved in.
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Police released the information the day after with few details and have not confirmed the names or ages of the deceased, but said the deaths were the result of an apparent murder-suicide.
Allen ISD sent a letter to parents at Olson Elementary letting them know a 5th grader had passed away unexpectedly and that counselors would be available. The district confirmed the email sent to parents was connected to the police investigation regarding the family of four.
On Tuesday the Islamic Association of Allen confirmed that the family members were part of the Muslim community and that a husband, wife, and their two sons ages 12 and two were found inside the home.
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"Waking up to the news of losing a four member family all of a sudden is not something that anyone can be prepared for, family members or let alone anyone in the community, so it's been a very heavy day for everyone in the community," said Imam Abdul Rahman Bashir, the religious director for the Islamic Association of Allen.
He said the family had recently buried their 4-year-old daughter three weeks ago after she died in a drowning accident at the pool.
"As the father of three children myself, it's something very hard to digest and grapple with the gravity of the situation, what the family may have been going through. We just continue to encourage the community to be there for each other during this time of sorrow and grief and we also encourage the community to cherish their family members and the moments that they have and be cognizant of the uncertainty of life," said Bashir.
The funeral, also called a Janaza, was held for the family on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The imam explained that is customary in Islamic tradition to bury the deceased as soon as possible.
The Islamic Association of Allen said it's partnering with MAPS, Muslim Association of Psychological Services to have provide outreach to the community. On Tuesday they're also having a 'Healing Circle' with counselors to help with the grief at 550 South Watters Rd. in Allen.
"We reach out to the community to remind them of the importance of being there for each other, if someone needs help, to reach out to whoever it is that may trust to reach out in these tragic times. We offer the mosque and open these doors to serve as a safe place for them," said Bashir.
No further information was provided and the investigation into the deaths is ongoing.
Unfortunately the mosque has dealt with with a similar type of loss in 2021 when six family members were killed in a murder-suicide in Allen.
"That was also very gut wrenching for our community as well," said Bashir. "We hear a lot of things on the news and a lot of things in the media but it hits totally different when it's so close to home."
"My message to our community at large is to be there for each other if someone has an issue, if there is something that is bothering someone, to reach out and find a pair of ears that you can talk to and for those who who someone reaches out to, give your ears, lend an ear and allow someone to share," said Bashir.
If you or someone you know needs to talk to somebody, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. Call or text 988.
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