A man in Tomball got a cryptic email from his cousin moments before the cousin blew up his home, in Washington State, killing his sons and himself.

Nathan Leach got email from his cousin, Josh Powell, in Washington. It said, "I'm sorry. Goodbye."

By phone, Leach told Local 2 that the email arrived about 2:05 Houston time Sunday afternoon. He said he then frantically called authorities in Washington. He was afraid Powell would hurt himself.

Leach also called Powell's sister who received the cryptic email. She lived about a mile from Powell. He said she arrived to find what looked like a bomb had gone off. The blast killed Powell and his sons.

This all happened just days after a judge denied Powell custody of his boys. Leach said there was what he called an online cyber bullying effort to keep Powell from getting custody. Leach said he believed this should have played out in the courtroom not online.

Leach said the families are planning funerals and asked for privacy.