Authorities in Houston, Texas, are investigating the death of a 40-year-old woman and her two children, ages 6 and 9, whose bodies were found Friday in a hotel room in the southwest of the city.

According to Houston Police, the investigation preliminarily points to a suspected murder-suicide, although the circumstances of the case remain under investigation.

The discovery occurred after several days without hearing from the family

The bodies were found by Marriott Residence Inn employees, who alerted authorities after noticing that they had not had contact with the room's occupants since Wednesday.

Houston Police officers went to the hotel shortly before noon on Friday to begin the corresponding proceedings.

The victims were a 40-year-old woman, a 6-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy.

Police point to suspected murder-suicide

During a press conference, Lt. Larry Crowson reported that investigators preliminarily consider this to be a case of murder-suicide.

"It is a very tragic incident. Two children, unfortunately, lost their lives at a very young age," the official stated.

Crowson added that, according to initial investigations, the case “appears to involve mental health problems,” although he avoided offering more details while the investigation continues.

The investigation remains open

Houston Police indicated that the case remains under investigation and that the medical examiner's office will be in charge of officially determining the cause and manner of the deaths.

So far, authorities have not revealed the identity of the victims or additional information about the circumstances that preceded the discovery.