Children Witness Mother Killed in Texas Murder-Suicide Allegedly by Estranged ‘Mentally Ill’ Ex-Boyfriend

Two Texas children witnessed the death of their mother in a murder-suicide allegedly carried out by her estranged and "mentally ill" ex-boyfriend, according to family members.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said the "horrible incident" occurred Monday, according to a media advisory.

Deputies responded to a welfare check and found the bodies of a man a woman with apparent gunshot wounds. The sheriff's office later identified the deceased individuals as 24-year-old Arazeli Ruiz and 31-year-old Fernando Fernandez.

The family believes Fernandez allegedly shot Ruiz, then turned the gun on himself, FOX 26 reported.

The welfare check had been requested by a family friend, who was picking Fernandez up for work and noticed the front door was open, the sheriff's office said.

Family members told Fox 26 that Ruiz's two children, who are 2 and 5 years old, were home at the time.

“The children involved in this horrible incident are safe and currently with family members,” the sheriff's office said in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families as they grieve and continue to work with our Victims Services division.”

Specialist Travis Wood with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office told Fox 26 that Ruiz, Fernandez and the children were "living together," but authorities don't know their "exact relationship."

Elizabeth Ruiz, Arazeli's sister, said Fernandez was her sister's ex-boyfriend, Law and Crime reported.

“He was her ex-partner in an extremely toxic relationship, marked by bipolarity and numerous mental problems,” Elizabeth said, per Univision. “We must lend a hand to those who suffer from these diseases to avoid more tragedies and raise awareness in the community about these challenges.”

Elizabeth said her sister was "a happy young woman who adored her two children."

The incident remains under investigation.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You are not alone.