HOUSTON – Two families and their community are reeling after police said a Houston firefighter killed his girlfriend before taking his own life Thursday night.
Caroline Minjares was supposed to watch one of her two children -- her 5-year-old daughter -- graduate kindergarten Friday. But Thursday night police said Minjares failed to pick up one of her girls from school.
Houston police said that family members showed up to the couple's house in the 16000 block of Prince Lane around 6:40 p.m. and found Minjares, 36, stabbed to death.
"The family, they're obviously devastated and heartbroken," said neighbor Margo Baines. "When they pulled up they were screaming, yelling, 'Where is she? where is she? So at that moment I knew something happened. Something big had happened."
"She was the sweetest girl. She didn't deserve this. Her daughters didn't deserve this," said Minjares' brother-in-law, Alex Trevino.
Police believe her boyfriend, Houston firefighter Richard Deluna, stabbed Minjares to death before hanging himself in their Lake Prince Lane home Thursday night. Police said Deluna, 40, was found in a different part of the house.
Police said there were no children in the house when the deaths occurred.
Minjares, a registered nurse, tried to fight back, according to police. Her family said she wanted to leave her boyfriend of a year.
"She lost contact with family. He had become real possessive," said her brother, Eduardo Minjares. "Up until about two weeks ago I found out he was threatening to kill her."
"I loved Carol and her family has to realize that we loved her a lot," said Deluna's sister, Ashley Caballero.
Deluna's family said they never saw that side of the 12-year HFD veteran.
"He wasn't a bad man. He was an awesome father. As far as we knew, they were happy," Caballero said. "We never knew of any other signs that anything, this tragedy could happen."
Deluna leaves behind five children. His family said they don't know how they'll explain this to them.
"What can you say? Or learn from a tragedy like this?" said Caballero.
Minjares's family said hopefully some people can find a lesson in it.
"If you see something's wrong and you have the opportunity to help, do it. Do it," said Trevino.
HPD homicide detectives continue to investigate.
The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association released a statement Thursday night that read in part, "Houston fire fighters mourn the off-duty death tonight of Houston fire fighter Richard C. Deluna, who was a member of the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 341. Our organization will strive to help support his brothers and sisters in the fire service, his family and his friends in this difficult time. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as answers are sought after this inexplicable tragedy."