The two young children killed in an apparent murder-suicide at a North Richland Hills home over the weekend have been identified.
Luke Dawson, 9, and his sister, 5-year-old Bree, were allegedly shot to death by their father before he turned the gun on himself.
North Richland Hills police were called by the mother of the children, Rachel Dawson, around 7:15 a.m. Saturday. She reportedly found her two young children and her husband dead at the home on the 7400 block of College Circle South.
"I met Rachel at a boot camp class and she would bring her kids, Luke and Bree, sometimes," said Rachel's former neighbor Ariel Borg. WFAA's sister station KPNX learned that the family lived in the Phoenix area until a few months ago.
Borg and her kids became close with Rachel Dawson and her kids. Borg said something seemed off with Rachel's husband, Chris.
"He was very, very controlling of Rachel to the extent that after a certain point he no longer allowed her to be friends with us," Borg said.
A few months ago, the Dawsons left Arizona and moved to North Richland Hills, a suburb northeast of Fort Worth. The unthinkable happened inside their new home.
"We saw warning signs but I don't think anyone could have guessed that this would've happened. It shocked everyone," said Borg.
Rachel Dawson found her two young kids and her husband dead in an apparent murder-suicide. Chris Dawson was employed by Baylor Scott & White Health for less than two months, according to the company.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and all of those affected by this tragedy," read a statement from Baylor Scott & White. "Dr. Christopher Dawson was employed September 4, 2017, through October 20, 2017.”
Borg and many of her neighbors are having trouble coping with the fact that their friend has lost both of her children and wonder if they could've somehow prevented it.
"We saw warning signs but it's hard to know when to step in," said Borg. "I just feel like we should've done more."
Investigators are now trying to piece together how a father could take the lives of his own children. Police say they have no history with the family, at least in North Richland Hills. Neighbors say the kids quickly became a regular sight after they moved in.
The investigation is happening a thousand miles away, but for Borg and Dawson's former Phoenix community, it hits very close to home.
"This community is feeling that loss. Her family was our neighbor," said Borg.
Borg is hosting a candlelight vigil for the Dawson children on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. It's being held outside her home and will be led by a pastor of the church the Dawson family attended while they lived in town.