Sheriff's deputies searching for son of Katy-area couple found dead in home
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — Investigators say they are looking for one of the children of the Katy-area couple who was found murdered in their home on Thursday.
"I think it's a tragedy," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls on Thursday night. "Anytime you have a situation like this it's a tragedy. Things like this don't happen in Fort Bend County."
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place. Michael Walton, 54, and Lynda Walton, 52, were dead from gunshot wounds, and deputies said they found small-caliber shell casings at the scene. A weapon was not recovered. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son, Derrick, found their bodies, conflicting with earlier reports that the youngest sibling discovered them. The Waltons also have three more children; a 28-year-old son named Donald, a 20-year-old son named Ryan, and an 18-year-old daughter named Shelby.
Ryan Robert Walton, 20, is the only one of the victims' four children that detectives have not been able to locate and question, authorities said.
Detectives say there's no evidence tying Ryan to the scene right now, and they haven't learned of any major disputes between the son and his parents.
"We would like to know his whereabouts so we can talk to him. Of course we are concerned about his safety. We haven't been able to talk to him and knowing that his two parents are deceased, you think it would be something that he would be concerned about," Nehls said at a press conference Friday morning.
However, Ryan's involvement as a person of interest only adds to the pain for friends.
"Our kids went to school together and played baseball together," Janie Clayton, a friend of the victims, said. "I haven't really been a part of his life for many years so I don't know anything personal about him."
Authorities also said surveillance video from the entrance to the family's gated community provided them with more information, but they declined to comment on what the video contained.
Deputies also said there was forced entry into the home, but that it wasn't ransacked and it doesn't look like anything was stolen.
They said the Walton family is prominent in the community, and Michael Walton was a developer of the subdivision where they lived. Because of that, many in the community nicknamed the Walton home "The Governor's Mansion."
The father was known for being very active in the community.
"Very nice guy, really conscientious and into what he developed," said neighbor David Roberson. "I felt bad because number one, it's two lives lost and number two, it's in our neighborhood so that one kind of got to me."
"I didn't really know him very well. He seemed to be a pretty reasonable guy, would be out and about and used to give hay rides to the kids around Halloween," another neighbor said.
Neighbors are stunned to learn such a tragedy could happen in a place they considered to be a safe haven. The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7.
"This is a gated community and this has never happened here before, it's very shocking," said Syed Zaidi.
"I'm shocked because this is a very nice community, very family, I don't know," said Diba Zaidi, who was almost speechless after learning the news.
The couple's youngest child, Shelby, is due to graduate next week from Katy High School. On Thursday night, the school sent out a letter of support to her classmates and their parents.
"Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family," part of the statement read. "This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
***************
***************
Neighbor says murdered couple found inside home was ‘very sweet, down to earth'
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas -- It was a dream home and a dream lifestyle until tragedy struck.
"They were very sweet, down to earth," said Janie Clayton.
Clayton has barely grasped the reality that her friends and neighbors, Lynda Walton, 52, and Michael Walton, 54, were shot to death inside their home in the upscale Lake Pointe Estates subdivision. Michael was one of the developers.
"I've been on the phone all morning with people from all over the country that know them and this is really, really, really hard," said Clayton.
Sheriff's deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son found his parents' bodies just after 5 p.m. Thursday evening. Deputies found shell casings but no weapon. And while there was forced entry into the home, nothing appeared to be stolen.
"The house did not appear to be ransacked, we don't see anything missing from inside the house," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
The Waltons have three other children, a 28-year old son and an 18-year old daughter who goes to Katy High School. It's their 20-year-old son Ryan, who is now a person of interest in this tragedy because no one can find him.
"We haven't been able to contact him, friends and family members, neighbors have been trying to call him, with no luck," said Nehls.
Sheriff's deputies were looking at surveillance video from the house, but would not say what, if anything it shows.
"Very difficult community to get in, very valuable properties. They have very tight security. So hopefully some of these things will help us with our investigation," said Nehls.
The community was rallying behind the family and posting well wishes and prayers on social media, hoping for answers.
***************
***************
Officials: Couple found dead in Katy-area home was well known, well respected
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas -- Investigators with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office are reviewing surveillance video from a gated community where a mother and father were found dead inside their home.
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Investigators arrived and said shell casings were found near two bodies.
"There is trauma to the bodies," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. "So I cannot tell you what the cause of death is. We did find some shell casings from a weapon inside the residence, so again this is preliminary. We are looking into this right now to determine exactly what happened."
After a preliminary investigation, officials said they did not believe the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.
Nehls said the family is very prominent in the community and the mother and father were well respected. The dad was a developer of the subdivision where they lived.
The couple had at least two or three older children, including a teen who is graduating from Katy H.S. next week.
"I think it's a tragedy," said Nehls. "Anytime you have a situation like this it's a tragedy. Things like this don't happen in Fort Bend County."
The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7. Investigators hope surveillance video may reveal more clues in the case.
On Thursday night, Katy H.S. officials sent out a note to families of the teen's classmates indicating the deaths were the result of a fatal shooting.
"Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family," part of the statement read. "This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
School officials said counselors would be on campus Friday to help students cope with the tragedy.
*************
*************
Katy HS places counselors on campus after student's parents found dead
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – A couple was found dead by their son Thursday evening inside their home in a gated community, deputies said.
The incident happened in the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Despite earlier reports, it was one of the couple's older children, a 24-year-old, that found his parents dead.
The couple had a total of four kids. The youngest, an 18-year-old female, was just wrapping up her senior year at Katy High School.
Katy HS sent out the following e-mail Thursday night:
"It is with profound sadness that I inform you that the father and mother of a student who is a senior at KHS passed away this evening as the result of a fatal shooting.
Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family. This student also has a sibling who was a former graduate of KHS. Please know that tomorrow morning we will be doing everything that we can to help our students and staff who may have been touched by this heartbreaking experience. Counselors will be on campus to help students as needed. Over the next few days, you may wish to encourage your student to express his or her feelings and listen attentively. It will be helpful to recognize the various steps that we all go through in the grieving process: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
*********
*********
Son arrested in connection with shooting deaths of parents
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Ryan Robert Walton has been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of his parents, who were found dead Thursday night in Katy, deputies said.
According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, the 20-year-old son was arrested by an off-duty deputy sheriff during a traffic stop around 12:30 p.m. at FM 762 and Interstate 59 in Rosenberg. He was driving his mother's BMW, which had been reported stolen.
Walton had been missing and out of touch since the murders – until one clue that tipped off investigators.
"A blue BMW vehicle…We were able to receive surveillance video from the gates leading in and out of that subdivision. The vehicle was leaving at approximately 9 a.m. that Thursday morning," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
Walton faces two charges of murder and is being held in the Fort Bend County Jail without bond.
The Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force and the Texas Rangers also were closely involved in the search for Walton.
During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Nehls said Nehls said Ryan Walton is cooperating with investigators and answering all their questions.
Meanwhile, detectives are working to get a warrant to search the car and hopefully find the murder weapon.
The tragic circumstances prompts the question, if Walton is convicted, why?
"The only way we are going to get that information is by speaking to Ryan about his role that he played in this," Nehls said.
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Michael Walton, 54, and Lynda Walton, 52, were dead from gunshot wounds, and deputies said they found small-caliber shell casings at the scene. A weapon was not recovered. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son, Derrick, found their bodies, conflicting with earlier reports that the youngest sibling discovered them. The Waltons have a total of four children including 28-year-old son named Donald and an 18-year-old daughter named Shelby.
Ryan was the only one of the victims' four children that detectives had not been able to locate and question after their parents were found dead, authorities said.
There had been signs of trouble in the past.
"I believe that the family did have issues with Ryan. The extent of those issues I am unaware," said Nehls.
Ryan had left the home three weeks ago and in 2011 he was arrested for a marijuana possession.
Deputies also said there was forced entry into the home, but that it wasn't ransacked and it doesn't look like anything was stolen.
They said the Walton family is prominent in the community, and Michael Walton was a developer of the subdivision where they lived. Because of that, many in the community nicknamed the Walton home "The Governor's Mansion."
The father was known for being very active in the community. Neighbors are stunned to learn such a tragedy could happen in a place they considered to be a safe haven. The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7.
The couple's youngest child, Shelby, is due to graduate next week from Katy High School. On Thursday night, the school sent out a letter of support to her classmates and their parents.
"She does have two older brothers, (and) grandparents. It seemed to be a very well-respected family, so she is surrounded by loved ones," Nehls said.
*********************
*********************
Lynda Renne Brown Walton was born May 27, 1962, in Ashville, North Carolina, to Jerry and Connie Brown. Lynda graduated from Ackley-Geneva High School in Iowa in 1980 and attended Tyler Jr. College. She worked for Texas Commerce Bank and in the accounting department of Randalls grocery before she and Mike married in 1989. Lynda shared with Mike an unfailing devotion to family and worthy causes. She was creative, artistic and had an "eye" for decorating, especially during the holidays, where she took great pleasure in making all of them special for her friends and neighbors.
Lynda loved to have friends over for a spirited game of Bunco or of late, to share her most recent successful business interest, Silpada Jewelry. She loved animals and considered her cat and dog as members of the family. Lynda was a kind and nurturing mother who supported her children in all they did.
Lynda was preceded in death by her grandparents, uncle, cousin and nephew. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents. They are survived by their four children whom they loved unconditionally: Donald, Derrick, Ryan and Shelby Walton; Pparents, John and Willie Walton and Jerry and Connie Brown; Mike's brother, Kirk (Judy) Walton; and Lynda's sisters, Marcie and Kelly; and brother, Allen. Additionally, there are numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom will miss this devoted couple who added a special dimension to all they touched.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Military Warriors Support Foundation; Operation Homefront; Building Homes for Heroes; or the mental health charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 4, in Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, from 5-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 5, in Memorial Drive Christian Church, 11750 Memorial Drive, Houston.
Obit submitted by; Lady in Black
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — Investigators say they are looking for one of the children of the Katy-area couple who was found murdered in their home on Thursday.
"I think it's a tragedy," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls on Thursday night. "Anytime you have a situation like this it's a tragedy. Things like this don't happen in Fort Bend County."
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place. Michael Walton, 54, and Lynda Walton, 52, were dead from gunshot wounds, and deputies said they found small-caliber shell casings at the scene. A weapon was not recovered. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son, Derrick, found their bodies, conflicting with earlier reports that the youngest sibling discovered them. The Waltons also have three more children; a 28-year-old son named Donald, a 20-year-old son named Ryan, and an 18-year-old daughter named Shelby.
Ryan Robert Walton, 20, is the only one of the victims' four children that detectives have not been able to locate and question, authorities said.
Detectives say there's no evidence tying Ryan to the scene right now, and they haven't learned of any major disputes between the son and his parents.
"We would like to know his whereabouts so we can talk to him. Of course we are concerned about his safety. We haven't been able to talk to him and knowing that his two parents are deceased, you think it would be something that he would be concerned about," Nehls said at a press conference Friday morning.
However, Ryan's involvement as a person of interest only adds to the pain for friends.
"Our kids went to school together and played baseball together," Janie Clayton, a friend of the victims, said. "I haven't really been a part of his life for many years so I don't know anything personal about him."
Authorities also said surveillance video from the entrance to the family's gated community provided them with more information, but they declined to comment on what the video contained.
Deputies also said there was forced entry into the home, but that it wasn't ransacked and it doesn't look like anything was stolen.
They said the Walton family is prominent in the community, and Michael Walton was a developer of the subdivision where they lived. Because of that, many in the community nicknamed the Walton home "The Governor's Mansion."
The father was known for being very active in the community.
"Very nice guy, really conscientious and into what he developed," said neighbor David Roberson. "I felt bad because number one, it's two lives lost and number two, it's in our neighborhood so that one kind of got to me."
"I didn't really know him very well. He seemed to be a pretty reasonable guy, would be out and about and used to give hay rides to the kids around Halloween," another neighbor said.
Neighbors are stunned to learn such a tragedy could happen in a place they considered to be a safe haven. The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7.
"This is a gated community and this has never happened here before, it's very shocking," said Syed Zaidi.
"I'm shocked because this is a very nice community, very family, I don't know," said Diba Zaidi, who was almost speechless after learning the news.
The couple's youngest child, Shelby, is due to graduate next week from Katy High School. On Thursday night, the school sent out a letter of support to her classmates and their parents.
"Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family," part of the statement read. "This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
***************
***************
Neighbor says murdered couple found inside home was ‘very sweet, down to earth'
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas -- It was a dream home and a dream lifestyle until tragedy struck.
"They were very sweet, down to earth," said Janie Clayton.
Clayton has barely grasped the reality that her friends and neighbors, Lynda Walton, 52, and Michael Walton, 54, were shot to death inside their home in the upscale Lake Pointe Estates subdivision. Michael was one of the developers.
"I've been on the phone all morning with people from all over the country that know them and this is really, really, really hard," said Clayton.
Sheriff's deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son found his parents' bodies just after 5 p.m. Thursday evening. Deputies found shell casings but no weapon. And while there was forced entry into the home, nothing appeared to be stolen.
"The house did not appear to be ransacked, we don't see anything missing from inside the house," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
The Waltons have three other children, a 28-year old son and an 18-year old daughter who goes to Katy High School. It's their 20-year-old son Ryan, who is now a person of interest in this tragedy because no one can find him.
"We haven't been able to contact him, friends and family members, neighbors have been trying to call him, with no luck," said Nehls.
Sheriff's deputies were looking at surveillance video from the house, but would not say what, if anything it shows.
"Very difficult community to get in, very valuable properties. They have very tight security. So hopefully some of these things will help us with our investigation," said Nehls.
The community was rallying behind the family and posting well wishes and prayers on social media, hoping for answers.
***************
***************
Officials: Couple found dead in Katy-area home was well known, well respected
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas -- Investigators with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office are reviewing surveillance video from a gated community where a mother and father were found dead inside their home.
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Investigators arrived and said shell casings were found near two bodies.
"There is trauma to the bodies," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. "So I cannot tell you what the cause of death is. We did find some shell casings from a weapon inside the residence, so again this is preliminary. We are looking into this right now to determine exactly what happened."
After a preliminary investigation, officials said they did not believe the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.
Nehls said the family is very prominent in the community and the mother and father were well respected. The dad was a developer of the subdivision where they lived.
The couple had at least two or three older children, including a teen who is graduating from Katy H.S. next week.
"I think it's a tragedy," said Nehls. "Anytime you have a situation like this it's a tragedy. Things like this don't happen in Fort Bend County."
The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7. Investigators hope surveillance video may reveal more clues in the case.
On Thursday night, Katy H.S. officials sent out a note to families of the teen's classmates indicating the deaths were the result of a fatal shooting.
"Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family," part of the statement read. "This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
School officials said counselors would be on campus Friday to help students cope with the tragedy.
*************
*************
Katy HS places counselors on campus after student's parents found dead
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – A couple was found dead by their son Thursday evening inside their home in a gated community, deputies said.
The incident happened in the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Despite earlier reports, it was one of the couple's older children, a 24-year-old, that found his parents dead.
The couple had a total of four kids. The youngest, an 18-year-old female, was just wrapping up her senior year at Katy High School.
Katy HS sent out the following e-mail Thursday night:
"It is with profound sadness that I inform you that the father and mother of a student who is a senior at KHS passed away this evening as the result of a fatal shooting.
Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family. This student also has a sibling who was a former graduate of KHS. Please know that tomorrow morning we will be doing everything that we can to help our students and staff who may have been touched by this heartbreaking experience. Counselors will be on campus to help students as needed. Over the next few days, you may wish to encourage your student to express his or her feelings and listen attentively. It will be helpful to recognize the various steps that we all go through in the grieving process: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
*********
*********
Son arrested in connection with shooting deaths of parents
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Ryan Robert Walton has been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of his parents, who were found dead Thursday night in Katy, deputies said.
According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, the 20-year-old son was arrested by an off-duty deputy sheriff during a traffic stop around 12:30 p.m. at FM 762 and Interstate 59 in Rosenberg. He was driving his mother's BMW, which had been reported stolen.
Walton had been missing and out of touch since the murders – until one clue that tipped off investigators.
"A blue BMW vehicle…We were able to receive surveillance video from the gates leading in and out of that subdivision. The vehicle was leaving at approximately 9 a.m. that Thursday morning," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
Walton faces two charges of murder and is being held in the Fort Bend County Jail without bond.
The Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force and the Texas Rangers also were closely involved in the search for Walton.
During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Nehls said Nehls said Ryan Walton is cooperating with investigators and answering all their questions.
Meanwhile, detectives are working to get a warrant to search the car and hopefully find the murder weapon.
The tragic circumstances prompts the question, if Walton is convicted, why?
"The only way we are going to get that information is by speaking to Ryan about his role that he played in this," Nehls said.
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Michael Walton, 54, and Lynda Walton, 52, were dead from gunshot wounds, and deputies said they found small-caliber shell casings at the scene. A weapon was not recovered. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son, Derrick, found their bodies, conflicting with earlier reports that the youngest sibling discovered them. The Waltons have a total of four children including 28-year-old son named Donald and an 18-year-old daughter named Shelby.
Ryan was the only one of the victims' four children that detectives had not been able to locate and question after their parents were found dead, authorities said.
There had been signs of trouble in the past.
"I believe that the family did have issues with Ryan. The extent of those issues I am unaware," said Nehls.
Ryan had left the home three weeks ago and in 2011 he was arrested for a marijuana possession.
Deputies also said there was forced entry into the home, but that it wasn't ransacked and it doesn't look like anything was stolen.
They said the Walton family is prominent in the community, and Michael Walton was a developer of the subdivision where they lived. Because of that, many in the community nicknamed the Walton home "The Governor's Mansion."
The father was known for being very active in the community. Neighbors are stunned to learn such a tragedy could happen in a place they considered to be a safe haven. The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7.
The couple's youngest child, Shelby, is due to graduate next week from Katy High School. On Thursday night, the school sent out a letter of support to her classmates and their parents.
"She does have two older brothers, (and) grandparents. It seemed to be a very well-respected family, so she is surrounded by loved ones," Nehls said.
*********************
*********************
Lynda Renne Brown Walton was born May 27, 1962, in Ashville, North Carolina, to Jerry and Connie Brown. Lynda graduated from Ackley-Geneva High School in Iowa in 1980 and attended Tyler Jr. College. She worked for Texas Commerce Bank and in the accounting department of Randalls grocery before she and Mike married in 1989. Lynda shared with Mike an unfailing devotion to family and worthy causes. She was creative, artistic and had an "eye" for decorating, especially during the holidays, where she took great pleasure in making all of them special for her friends and neighbors.
Lynda loved to have friends over for a spirited game of Bunco or of late, to share her most recent successful business interest, Silpada Jewelry. She loved animals and considered her cat and dog as members of the family. Lynda was a kind and nurturing mother who supported her children in all they did.
Lynda was preceded in death by her grandparents, uncle, cousin and nephew. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents. They are survived by their four children whom they loved unconditionally: Donald, Derrick, Ryan and Shelby Walton; Pparents, John and Willie Walton and Jerry and Connie Brown; Mike's brother, Kirk (Judy) Walton; and Lynda's sisters, Marcie and Kelly; and brother, Allen. Additionally, there are numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom will miss this devoted couple who added a special dimension to all they touched.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Military Warriors Support Foundation; Operation Homefront; Building Homes for Heroes; or the mental health charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 4, in Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, from 5-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 5, in Memorial Drive Christian Church, 11750 Memorial Drive, Houston.
Obit submitted by; Lady in Black
Sheriff's deputies searching for son of Katy-area couple found dead in home
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — Investigators say they are looking for one of the children of the Katy-area couple who was found murdered in their home on Thursday.
"I think it's a tragedy," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls on Thursday night. "Anytime you have a situation like this it's a tragedy. Things like this don't happen in Fort Bend County."
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place. Michael Walton, 54, and Lynda Walton, 52, were dead from gunshot wounds, and deputies said they found small-caliber shell casings at the scene. A weapon was not recovered. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son, Derrick, found their bodies, conflicting with earlier reports that the youngest sibling discovered them. The Waltons also have three more children; a 28-year-old son named Donald, a 20-year-old son named Ryan, and an 18-year-old daughter named Shelby.
Ryan Robert Walton, 20, is the only one of the victims' four children that detectives have not been able to locate and question, authorities said.
Detectives say there's no evidence tying Ryan to the scene right now, and they haven't learned of any major disputes between the son and his parents.
"We would like to know his whereabouts so we can talk to him. Of course we are concerned about his safety. We haven't been able to talk to him and knowing that his two parents are deceased, you think it would be something that he would be concerned about," Nehls said at a press conference Friday morning.
However, Ryan's involvement as a person of interest only adds to the pain for friends.
"Our kids went to school together and played baseball together," Janie Clayton, a friend of the victims, said. "I haven't really been a part of his life for many years so I don't know anything personal about him."
Authorities also said surveillance video from the entrance to the family's gated community provided them with more information, but they declined to comment on what the video contained.
Deputies also said there was forced entry into the home, but that it wasn't ransacked and it doesn't look like anything was stolen.
They said the Walton family is prominent in the community, and Michael Walton was a developer of the subdivision where they lived. Because of that, many in the community nicknamed the Walton home "The Governor's Mansion."
The father was known for being very active in the community.
"Very nice guy, really conscientious and into what he developed," said neighbor David Roberson. "I felt bad because number one, it's two lives lost and number two, it's in our neighborhood so that one kind of got to me."
"I didn't really know him very well. He seemed to be a pretty reasonable guy, would be out and about and used to give hay rides to the kids around Halloween," another neighbor said.
Neighbors are stunned to learn such a tragedy could happen in a place they considered to be a safe haven. The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7.
"This is a gated community and this has never happened here before, it's very shocking," said Syed Zaidi.
"I'm shocked because this is a very nice community, very family, I don't know," said Diba Zaidi, who was almost speechless after learning the news.
The couple's youngest child, Shelby, is due to graduate next week from Katy High School. On Thursday night, the school sent out a letter of support to her classmates and their parents.
"Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family," part of the statement read. "This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
***************
***************
Neighbor says murdered couple found inside home was ‘very sweet, down to earth'
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas -- It was a dream home and a dream lifestyle until tragedy struck.
"They were very sweet, down to earth," said Janie Clayton.
Clayton has barely grasped the reality that her friends and neighbors, Lynda Walton, 52, and Michael Walton, 54, were shot to death inside their home in the upscale Lake Pointe Estates subdivision. Michael was one of the developers.
"I've been on the phone all morning with people from all over the country that know them and this is really, really, really hard," said Clayton.
Sheriff's deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son found his parents' bodies just after 5 p.m. Thursday evening. Deputies found shell casings but no weapon. And while there was forced entry into the home, nothing appeared to be stolen.
"The house did not appear to be ransacked, we don't see anything missing from inside the house," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
The Waltons have three other children, a 28-year old son and an 18-year old daughter who goes to Katy High School. It's their 20-year-old son Ryan, who is now a person of interest in this tragedy because no one can find him.
"We haven't been able to contact him, friends and family members, neighbors have been trying to call him, with no luck," said Nehls.
Sheriff's deputies were looking at surveillance video from the house, but would not say what, if anything it shows.
"Very difficult community to get in, very valuable properties. They have very tight security. So hopefully some of these things will help us with our investigation," said Nehls.
The community was rallying behind the family and posting well wishes and prayers on social media, hoping for answers.
***************
***************
Officials: Couple found dead in Katy-area home was well known, well respected
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas -- Investigators with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office are reviewing surveillance video from a gated community where a mother and father were found dead inside their home.
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Investigators arrived and said shell casings were found near two bodies.
"There is trauma to the bodies," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. "So I cannot tell you what the cause of death is. We did find some shell casings from a weapon inside the residence, so again this is preliminary. We are looking into this right now to determine exactly what happened."
After a preliminary investigation, officials said they did not believe the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.
Nehls said the family is very prominent in the community and the mother and father were well respected. The dad was a developer of the subdivision where they lived.
The couple had at least two or three older children, including a teen who is graduating from Katy H.S. next week.
"I think it's a tragedy," said Nehls. "Anytime you have a situation like this it's a tragedy. Things like this don't happen in Fort Bend County."
The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7. Investigators hope surveillance video may reveal more clues in the case.
On Thursday night, Katy H.S. officials sent out a note to families of the teen's classmates indicating the deaths were the result of a fatal shooting.
"Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family," part of the statement read. "This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
School officials said counselors would be on campus Friday to help students cope with the tragedy.
*************
*************
Katy HS places counselors on campus after student's parents found dead
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – A couple was found dead by their son Thursday evening inside their home in a gated community, deputies said.
The incident happened in the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Despite earlier reports, it was one of the couple's older children, a 24-year-old, that found his parents dead.
The couple had a total of four kids. The youngest, an 18-year-old female, was just wrapping up her senior year at Katy High School.
Katy HS sent out the following e-mail Thursday night:
"It is with profound sadness that I inform you that the father and mother of a student who is a senior at KHS passed away this evening as the result of a fatal shooting.
Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family. This student also has a sibling who was a former graduate of KHS. Please know that tomorrow morning we will be doing everything that we can to help our students and staff who may have been touched by this heartbreaking experience. Counselors will be on campus to help students as needed. Over the next few days, you may wish to encourage your student to express his or her feelings and listen attentively. It will be helpful to recognize the various steps that we all go through in the grieving process: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
*********
*********
Son arrested in connection with shooting deaths of parents
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Ryan Robert Walton has been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of his parents, who were found dead Thursday night in Katy, deputies said.
According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, the 20-year-old son was arrested by an off-duty deputy sheriff during a traffic stop around 12:30 p.m. at FM 762 and Interstate 59 in Rosenberg. He was driving his mother's BMW, which had been reported stolen.
Walton had been missing and out of touch since the murders – until one clue that tipped off investigators.
"A blue BMW vehicle…We were able to receive surveillance video from the gates leading in and out of that subdivision. The vehicle was leaving at approximately 9 a.m. that Thursday morning," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
Walton faces two charges of murder and is being held in the Fort Bend County Jail without bond.
The Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force and the Texas Rangers also were closely involved in the search for Walton.
During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Nehls said Nehls said Ryan Walton is cooperating with investigators and answering all their questions.
Meanwhile, detectives are working to get a warrant to search the car and hopefully find the murder weapon.
The tragic circumstances prompts the question, if Walton is convicted, why?
"The only way we are going to get that information is by speaking to Ryan about his role that he played in this," Nehls said.
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Michael Walton, 54, and Lynda Walton, 52, were dead from gunshot wounds, and deputies said they found small-caliber shell casings at the scene. A weapon was not recovered. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son, Derrick, found their bodies, conflicting with earlier reports that the youngest sibling discovered them. The Waltons have a total of four children including 28-year-old son named Donald and an 18-year-old daughter named Shelby.
Ryan was the only one of the victims' four children that detectives had not been able to locate and question after their parents were found dead, authorities said.
There had been signs of trouble in the past.
"I believe that the family did have issues with Ryan. The extent of those issues I am unaware," said Nehls.
Ryan had left the home three weeks ago and in 2011 he was arrested for a marijuana possession.
Deputies also said there was forced entry into the home, but that it wasn't ransacked and it doesn't look like anything was stolen.
They said the Walton family is prominent in the community, and Michael Walton was a developer of the subdivision where they lived. Because of that, many in the community nicknamed the Walton home "The Governor's Mansion."
The father was known for being very active in the community. Neighbors are stunned to learn such a tragedy could happen in a place they considered to be a safe haven. The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7.
The couple's youngest child, Shelby, is due to graduate next week from Katy High School. On Thursday night, the school sent out a letter of support to her classmates and their parents.
"She does have two older brothers, (and) grandparents. It seemed to be a very well-respected family, so she is surrounded by loved ones," Nehls said.
*********************
*********************
Lynda Renne Brown Walton was born May 27, 1962, in Ashville, North Carolina, to Jerry and Connie Brown. Lynda graduated from Ackley-Geneva High School in Iowa in 1980 and attended Tyler Jr. College. She worked for Texas Commerce Bank and in the accounting department of Randalls grocery before she and Mike married in 1989. Lynda shared with Mike an unfailing devotion to family and worthy causes. She was creative, artistic and had an "eye" for decorating, especially during the holidays, where she took great pleasure in making all of them special for her friends and neighbors.
Lynda loved to have friends over for a spirited game of Bunco or of late, to share her most recent successful business interest, Silpada Jewelry. She loved animals and considered her cat and dog as members of the family. Lynda was a kind and nurturing mother who supported her children in all they did.
Lynda was preceded in death by her grandparents, uncle, cousin and nephew. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents. They are survived by their four children whom they loved unconditionally: Donald, Derrick, Ryan and Shelby Walton; Pparents, John and Willie Walton and Jerry and Connie Brown; Mike's brother, Kirk (Judy) Walton; and Lynda's sisters, Marcie and Kelly; and brother, Allen. Additionally, there are numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom will miss this devoted couple who added a special dimension to all they touched.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Military Warriors Support Foundation; Operation Homefront; Building Homes for Heroes; or the mental health charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 4, in Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, from 5-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 5, in Memorial Drive Christian Church, 11750 Memorial Drive, Houston.
Obit submitted by; Lady in Black
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — Investigators say they are looking for one of the children of the Katy-area couple who was found murdered in their home on Thursday.
"I think it's a tragedy," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls on Thursday night. "Anytime you have a situation like this it's a tragedy. Things like this don't happen in Fort Bend County."
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place. Michael Walton, 54, and Lynda Walton, 52, were dead from gunshot wounds, and deputies said they found small-caliber shell casings at the scene. A weapon was not recovered. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son, Derrick, found their bodies, conflicting with earlier reports that the youngest sibling discovered them. The Waltons also have three more children; a 28-year-old son named Donald, a 20-year-old son named Ryan, and an 18-year-old daughter named Shelby.
Ryan Robert Walton, 20, is the only one of the victims' four children that detectives have not been able to locate and question, authorities said.
Detectives say there's no evidence tying Ryan to the scene right now, and they haven't learned of any major disputes between the son and his parents.
"We would like to know his whereabouts so we can talk to him. Of course we are concerned about his safety. We haven't been able to talk to him and knowing that his two parents are deceased, you think it would be something that he would be concerned about," Nehls said at a press conference Friday morning.
However, Ryan's involvement as a person of interest only adds to the pain for friends.
"Our kids went to school together and played baseball together," Janie Clayton, a friend of the victims, said. "I haven't really been a part of his life for many years so I don't know anything personal about him."
Authorities also said surveillance video from the entrance to the family's gated community provided them with more information, but they declined to comment on what the video contained.
Deputies also said there was forced entry into the home, but that it wasn't ransacked and it doesn't look like anything was stolen.
They said the Walton family is prominent in the community, and Michael Walton was a developer of the subdivision where they lived. Because of that, many in the community nicknamed the Walton home "The Governor's Mansion."
The father was known for being very active in the community.
"Very nice guy, really conscientious and into what he developed," said neighbor David Roberson. "I felt bad because number one, it's two lives lost and number two, it's in our neighborhood so that one kind of got to me."
"I didn't really know him very well. He seemed to be a pretty reasonable guy, would be out and about and used to give hay rides to the kids around Halloween," another neighbor said.
Neighbors are stunned to learn such a tragedy could happen in a place they considered to be a safe haven. The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7.
"This is a gated community and this has never happened here before, it's very shocking," said Syed Zaidi.
"I'm shocked because this is a very nice community, very family, I don't know," said Diba Zaidi, who was almost speechless after learning the news.
The couple's youngest child, Shelby, is due to graduate next week from Katy High School. On Thursday night, the school sent out a letter of support to her classmates and their parents.
"Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family," part of the statement read. "This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
***************
***************
Neighbor says murdered couple found inside home was ‘very sweet, down to earth'
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas -- It was a dream home and a dream lifestyle until tragedy struck.
"They were very sweet, down to earth," said Janie Clayton.
Clayton has barely grasped the reality that her friends and neighbors, Lynda Walton, 52, and Michael Walton, 54, were shot to death inside their home in the upscale Lake Pointe Estates subdivision. Michael was one of the developers.
"I've been on the phone all morning with people from all over the country that know them and this is really, really, really hard," said Clayton.
Sheriff's deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son found his parents' bodies just after 5 p.m. Thursday evening. Deputies found shell casings but no weapon. And while there was forced entry into the home, nothing appeared to be stolen.
"The house did not appear to be ransacked, we don't see anything missing from inside the house," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
The Waltons have three other children, a 28-year old son and an 18-year old daughter who goes to Katy High School. It's their 20-year-old son Ryan, who is now a person of interest in this tragedy because no one can find him.
"We haven't been able to contact him, friends and family members, neighbors have been trying to call him, with no luck," said Nehls.
Sheriff's deputies were looking at surveillance video from the house, but would not say what, if anything it shows.
"Very difficult community to get in, very valuable properties. They have very tight security. So hopefully some of these things will help us with our investigation," said Nehls.
The community was rallying behind the family and posting well wishes and prayers on social media, hoping for answers.
***************
***************
Officials: Couple found dead in Katy-area home was well known, well respected
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas -- Investigators with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office are reviewing surveillance video from a gated community where a mother and father were found dead inside their home.
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Investigators arrived and said shell casings were found near two bodies.
"There is trauma to the bodies," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls. "So I cannot tell you what the cause of death is. We did find some shell casings from a weapon inside the residence, so again this is preliminary. We are looking into this right now to determine exactly what happened."
After a preliminary investigation, officials said they did not believe the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide.
Nehls said the family is very prominent in the community and the mother and father were well respected. The dad was a developer of the subdivision where they lived.
The couple had at least two or three older children, including a teen who is graduating from Katy H.S. next week.
"I think it's a tragedy," said Nehls. "Anytime you have a situation like this it's a tragedy. Things like this don't happen in Fort Bend County."
The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7. Investigators hope surveillance video may reveal more clues in the case.
On Thursday night, Katy H.S. officials sent out a note to families of the teen's classmates indicating the deaths were the result of a fatal shooting.
"Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family," part of the statement read. "This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
School officials said counselors would be on campus Friday to help students cope with the tragedy.
*************
*************
Katy HS places counselors on campus after student's parents found dead
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – A couple was found dead by their son Thursday evening inside their home in a gated community, deputies said.
The incident happened in the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Despite earlier reports, it was one of the couple's older children, a 24-year-old, that found his parents dead.
The couple had a total of four kids. The youngest, an 18-year-old female, was just wrapping up her senior year at Katy High School.
Katy HS sent out the following e-mail Thursday night:
"It is with profound sadness that I inform you that the father and mother of a student who is a senior at KHS passed away this evening as the result of a fatal shooting.
Many of our students may have been friends or classmates with the student affected, or have known the family. This student also has a sibling who was a former graduate of KHS. Please know that tomorrow morning we will be doing everything that we can to help our students and staff who may have been touched by this heartbreaking experience. Counselors will be on campus to help students as needed. Over the next few days, you may wish to encourage your student to express his or her feelings and listen attentively. It will be helpful to recognize the various steps that we all go through in the grieving process: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance.
This is very sad situation for the family involved and our school community. We will continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to those most impacted by this tragedy as they begin the healing process."
*********
*********
Son arrested in connection with shooting deaths of parents
FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – Ryan Robert Walton has been arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of his parents, who were found dead Thursday night in Katy, deputies said.
According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, the 20-year-old son was arrested by an off-duty deputy sheriff during a traffic stop around 12:30 p.m. at FM 762 and Interstate 59 in Rosenberg. He was driving his mother's BMW, which had been reported stolen.
Walton had been missing and out of touch since the murders – until one clue that tipped off investigators.
"A blue BMW vehicle…We were able to receive surveillance video from the gates leading in and out of that subdivision. The vehicle was leaving at approximately 9 a.m. that Thursday morning," said Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls.
Walton faces two charges of murder and is being held in the Fort Bend County Jail without bond.
The Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force and the Texas Rangers also were closely involved in the search for Walton.
During a press conference Saturday afternoon, Nehls said Nehls said Ryan Walton is cooperating with investigators and answering all their questions.
Meanwhile, detectives are working to get a warrant to search the car and hopefully find the murder weapon.
The tragic circumstances prompts the question, if Walton is convicted, why?
"The only way we are going to get that information is by speaking to Ryan about his role that he played in this," Nehls said.
The sheriff's office said it was shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the Lake Pointe Estates subdivision, located in the 24900 block of North Point Place.
Michael Walton, 54, and Lynda Walton, 52, were dead from gunshot wounds, and deputies said they found small-caliber shell casings at the scene. A weapon was not recovered. Officials quickly ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide.
Deputies said the couple's 24-year-old son, Derrick, found their bodies, conflicting with earlier reports that the youngest sibling discovered them. The Waltons have a total of four children including 28-year-old son named Donald and an 18-year-old daughter named Shelby.
Ryan was the only one of the victims' four children that detectives had not been able to locate and question after their parents were found dead, authorities said.
There had been signs of trouble in the past.
"I believe that the family did have issues with Ryan. The extent of those issues I am unaware," said Nehls.
Ryan had left the home three weeks ago and in 2011 he was arrested for a marijuana possession.
Deputies also said there was forced entry into the home, but that it wasn't ransacked and it doesn't look like anything was stolen.
They said the Walton family is prominent in the community, and Michael Walton was a developer of the subdivision where they lived. Because of that, many in the community nicknamed the Walton home "The Governor's Mansion."
The father was known for being very active in the community. Neighbors are stunned to learn such a tragedy could happen in a place they considered to be a safe haven. The upper-class community is gated and guarded 24/7.
The couple's youngest child, Shelby, is due to graduate next week from Katy High School. On Thursday night, the school sent out a letter of support to her classmates and their parents.
"She does have two older brothers, (and) grandparents. It seemed to be a very well-respected family, so she is surrounded by loved ones," Nehls said.
*********************
*********************
Lynda Renne Brown Walton was born May 27, 1962, in Ashville, North Carolina, to Jerry and Connie Brown. Lynda graduated from Ackley-Geneva High School in Iowa in 1980 and attended Tyler Jr. College. She worked for Texas Commerce Bank and in the accounting department of Randalls grocery before she and Mike married in 1989. Lynda shared with Mike an unfailing devotion to family and worthy causes. She was creative, artistic and had an "eye" for decorating, especially during the holidays, where she took great pleasure in making all of them special for her friends and neighbors.
Lynda loved to have friends over for a spirited game of Bunco or of late, to share her most recent successful business interest, Silpada Jewelry. She loved animals and considered her cat and dog as members of the family. Lynda was a kind and nurturing mother who supported her children in all they did.
Lynda was preceded in death by her grandparents, uncle, cousin and nephew. Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents. They are survived by their four children whom they loved unconditionally: Donald, Derrick, Ryan and Shelby Walton; Pparents, John and Willie Walton and Jerry and Connie Brown; Mike's brother, Kirk (Judy) Walton; and Lynda's sisters, Marcie and Kelly; and brother, Allen. Additionally, there are numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom will miss this devoted couple who added a special dimension to all they touched.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Military Warriors Support Foundation; Operation Homefront; Building Homes for Heroes; or the mental health charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 4, in Memorial Oaks Funeral Home Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, from 5-8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 5, in Memorial Drive Christian Church, 11750 Memorial Drive, Houston.
Obit submitted by; Lady in Black
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
