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Two girls, aged 13 and three, among four found dead in suspected murder-suicide at Texas home

Police found the bodies of two girls and their parents during a welfare check at a North Texas home Thursday afternoon in what authorities suspect to be a murder-suicide. 

Marcus Buchanan, 36 and his wife, Rita Buchanan, 34, were discovered next to two girls - aged 13 and 3 - fatally shot in their home on the 300 block of Kathy Lane in Granbury, police said. 

A neighbor who lives directly across the street says the adults worked from home, and that all four had moved to Granbury from Las Vegas about six months ago. 

'None of us heard anything. Nobody in the neighborhood heard any gunfire whatsoever, especially four rounds,' Crystal Blanchard told KDFW. 'Marcus was the happiest guy. He always talked. He always hung out with us.'

Police have not made a final determination, but investigators at the scene found evidence pointing to a murder-suicide. 

'Who does that to a child? Those children were innocent. They didn't deserve that,' Crystal said.

Marcus didn't have a criminal background, but Rita was charged with disorderly conduct in Henderson, Nevada in 2014, KDFW reports.

Child Protective Services did not clarify if the family had a history with them. The Granbury Police Department told DailyMail.com there are no updates on the investigation as of Sunday morning.

Marcus Buchanan, 36, Rita Buchanan, 34 were found dead from gunshot wounds in their home in Granbury, Texas after a welfare check on Thursday afternoon

Marcus Buchanan, 36, Rita Buchanan, 34 were found dead from gunshot wounds in their home in Granbury, Texas after a welfare check on Thursday afternoon

Two girls, aged 13 (right) and 3, were also found dead in the home. Authorities have not clarified their relationship to the adults

Two girls, aged 13 (right) and 3, were also found dead in the home. Authorities have not clarified their relationship to the adults

Classmates and neighbors remembered a 'happy' family that could often be seen playing in their backyard

Classmates and neighbors remembered a 'happy' family that could often be seen playing in their backyard

The Buchanans had moved to the 300 block of Kathy Lane about six months ago from Las Vegas, neighbors say

The Buchanans had moved to the 300 block of Kathy Lane about six months ago from Las Vegas, neighbors say

Investigators haven't who they suspect caused the deaths, but they said there was no evidence that anyone else was involved.

Granbury is a city of about 11,000 residents about 35 miles southwest of Fort Worth.

Police were sent to the home on Thursday at around 2.45pm.

Blanchard, the neighbor, says she last saw Marcus on Wednesday afternoon. She says the 13-year-old became fast friends with her daughter Maddison. 

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'She was always over for dinner or snacks or movie night,' she said. 'I mean no, there was never any indication that anything was wrong.'

Maddison added: 'I don't even know how to deal with it because, like I said, it’s shocking. It's something that I wouldn't ever expect.'

Neighbors told KDFW that they watched while police combed through the home for 12 hours after finding the bodies on Thursday. 


Fox4News Privacy Policy Marcus didn't have a criminal background, but Rita was charged with disorderly conduct in Henderson, Nevada in 2014

Marcus didn't have a criminal background, but Rita was charged with disorderly conduct in Henderson, Nevada in 2014

In 2019, Rita posted about her husband on Facebook.  

'Every relationship has its ups and downs, smiles and frowns. But through the flaws and all i love him. He is a great daddy to all of our kids and more. We accept our wrongs and turn them into rights.. 

'EVERY ONE OF US IS FLAWED! BUT WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS WILLING TO STICK WITH YOU, GROW,AND CHANGE KEEP THEM!!! not everyone is willing nor accepting. I love you my husband...'

Kayeleagh Goltl, who went to school with the 13-year-old, said she last saw the teen at school on Tuesday.  

Marcus and Rita both worked from home, a neighbor said. Police have not made a final determination, but investigators at the scene found evidence pointing to a murder-suicide

Marcus and Rita both worked from home, a neighbor said. Police have not made a final determination, but investigators at the scene found evidence pointing to a murder-suicide

'She was always so happy on the bus. I didn't expect it,' she said.

In a statement, Granbury ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Glenn said: 'The death of a student is one of the hardest things any school district faces. The tragic loss of two of our precious students is heartbreaking for students, teachers and staff and our community.'  

The Buchanans seem to have made their mark in the neighborhood in the short time they lived there. 

'We saw the trampoline in the backyard, and it was triggering just knowing it will never be jumped on again, they won't be playing in the backyard again,' neighbor Madison McVay told WFAA

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Martina Birk

Update: 2024-06-23