Texas man shoots wife and two children dead before turning gun on himself three months after he was arrested for domestic violence
A family has been torn apart after an abusive husband shot and killed his young wife and their two children in their Texas home.
Police were called early Saturday evening to the 3600 block of NE 14th Avenue in Amarillo after a family member found the bodies of Jose Olmos, his wife Jessica, 33, and their children Jazele and Daniel.
The 42-year-old electrician was arrested by Amarillo police on May 19 on suspicion of assault on a family member, but returned to the residence after being released on $500 bail.
Investigators believe Olmos committed suicide by killing himself and his family. The photo taken at his arrest shows scratches on the suspect’s neck.
“Oh Jessica Olmos! I’m so sorry I couldn’t help you out of this,” family friend Clara Nunez wrote on Facebook.
Jose Olmos, 42, with Jazele and Daniel, the children he is suspected of killing before taking his own life Saturday night in the family’s Amarillo home
The body of the children’s mother, Jessica Olmos, 33, was also found by a shocked relative
Jazale and Daniel are amazing kids. I promise I will do everything in my power to make sure you are remembered forever. It doesn’t stop here, I promise!’
The couple, who celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on July 4, had lived at Olmos’ address since their marriage.
Jessica worked as an office manager for Jeff Bara State Farm Agency in town and her 7th grade daughter was an avid wrestler.
Just months earlier, the family posed for a seemingly idyllic photoshoot in the fields near their home. Photographer Anna Vega spoke of her shock at their violent deaths.
“I am so shocked by the news this morning,” she wrote as she reposted the photos on Facebook.
‘I told you this when you were here, but Jessica, it was an absolute honor to work with you and your beautiful children.
‘Jazele and Daniel were so sweet, I can still imagine them giggling and laughing when Daniel jumped on her back.
‘In a world that is so morbid, I posted these photos in the hopes that people can catch a glimpse of the shining light that you all were, and not just the last moments that you all took away.’
Jessica lost her younger sister in February of last year and the troubled couple celebrated Mother’s Day with the rest of their family with mother Blanca Menendez, just six days before Olmos was arrested on domestic violence charges in May of this year.
The deaths occurred less than four months after Olmos was released on $500 bail after being charged with domestic violence.
Jessica’s stepdaughter Arianna Olmos conspicuously left the father out of her moving tribute to his murdered family.
“When I heard that three of the most caring people I know were given angel wings, my heart sank and broke into pieces,” the West Texas A&M University student wrote.
‘The three of you were loved by everyone around you and will be missed.
‘Jazale, my baby, I’m going to miss your smile, your laugh and your funny faces.
‘Daniel, I will miss your smile and your love for cars.
Jessica, I was grateful to have someone like you as a stepmother, who still loved and cared for me.
“I am thankful that God brought you and the children into my life. I can’t even express in words how hurt I am.”