Benjamin Okigbo, a US-based Nigerian doctor, has strangled Theresa Okigbo, his wife, to death before killing himself at their home in Greatwood, Texas.
The Sugar Land Police Department (SLPD) said the incident, which happened on Friday, is currently being investigated as “murder-suicide.”
“The SLPD has confirmed two deaths and the investigation is focusing on the possibility of a murder-suicide,” it said.
In an update on its Facebook page on Saturday, the police said its preliminary findings showed Benjamin strangled his wife, a nurse, to death.
It added that the medical doctor had thereafter attempted to also strangle his two sons — both 21-year-old — before eventually killing himself by hanging.
The police said that the two sons survived the attack with “non-life threatening injuries”, adding that investigation continues into the matter.
“Update: The homeowners in this case have been identified as husband and wife Benjamin Okigbo and Theresa Okigbo. This case is being investigated as a murder-suicide,” it wrote.
“The investigation has revealed that Benjamin Okigbo strangled Theresa Okigbo to death, attempted to kill both of his 21 year old male son’s by strangling them and then killed himself by hanging.
“Both adult son’s survived the attack with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.”
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), also confirmed the incident in a tweet on Sunday.
Dabiri-Erewa expressed shock over the death of the couple, said to be from Delta state while commiserating with their family.
“Woke up to the sad news of the death of Dr. Ben Okigbo, a medical doctor and his wife, Theresa who was a nurse, in Houston, Texas,” she wrote on Twitter.
“We condole with the family, particularly the children, who are now orphans . Both were found dead in their home. Investigations are ongoing.”
