CYPRESS, Texas – Harris County Sheriff's detectives said they have no suspect, nor a motive for the Friday morning murder of a mother of four.
Christine Martinez, 37, was found stabbed to death in the bedroom of her home on Great Elms Drive in the Lancaster subdivision.
"It was devastating," said Eddie, a neighbor who declined to provide his last name. "You can never prepare yourself for something like this."
Neighbors said they remember when Martinez and her children moved into their new home.
"She took care of those kids, very nice lady. They're ... the greatest. That's all I can say," Eddie said.
Martinez's home, like many others on the street, was made possible by Habitat For Humanity Northwest Harris County.
"We worked side-by-side, as a team," said next-door neighbor Desire Witherspoon.
Witherspoon said she became close to Martinez as they helped one another build a home that was also a fresh start in life.
"We helped each other ... raising the houses from the ground up. ... We built each other's walls, we painted, we grouted," Witherspoon said.
Sheriff's detectives said Martinez's 20-year-old son left the house around midnight to pick up his brother from work and their mother was alone at that time.
Ben Beall, a sergeant with the Harris County Sheriff's Office, said when pair got home around 1:45 a.m., they found their mother stabbed to death in her bedroom.
Beall said it appears someone forced their way into the house.
"I hope they catch the animal that did this," Eddie said.
Anyone with information about this murder is urged to call the sheriff's homicide division at (713) 274-9201, or Crimestoppers at (713) 222-TIPS.
Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County released the following statement:
"Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County is deeply sadden(ed) to learn about this tragedy. Christine was a part of our Habitat family. She will be missed. We send our heart-felt condolences to her loved ones."