Death of Mother and Infant in Channelview River Ruled a Murder-Suicide

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas—A woman and her infant child died in an apparent murder-suicide after she intentionally drove her vehicle into the San Jacinto River on April 25. Her two older children were rescued by a Good Samaritan.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies and first responders were called to the 17300 block of Market Street in Channelview after reports of a submerged vehicle with occupants. While a preliminary investigation initially suggested a medical emergency, the case was reclassified as a murder-suicide after a suicide note was found in the vehicle.

The driver was identified as  Crystal Shabrell Hall Njepu, 39, who had three children in the vehicle with her, ages 1, 5, and 7.

A Good Samaritan was able to assist the two older children, but Njepu and her 1-year-old were pronounced dead at the scene.