By JAMES DANIEL
A mother who was battling cancer and who had endured weeks of chemotherapy ended up killing her entire family in a gruesome triple murder before killing herself. Investigators are struggling to comprehend what drove the mom of two to take the lives of those who were close to her before shooting herself dead.
The Dallas County Medical Examiner ruled 43-year-old wife and mother Angelica Vazquez shot and killed her husband, Marcelo,44, and their son, Alejandro, 18, and daughter Paulina, 21. All the bodies were found together in the family home in Mesquite earlier this week. A shotgun was found on the floor next to Mrs Vazquez's body. Police have no idea what made the woman snap but they believe the killings took place several days before the authorities realized anything was wrong. She had recently completed chemotherapy in a battle against cancer, friends said.
Diana Calderon met the family more than 18 years ago. She told News 8 the couple had married 23 years ago and the family moved to the United States in the 90s. 'They were a good family,' she said. 'Family members want to know why this happened, but I don't think we will ever get the answer. This is very hard.' Ms. Calderon told reporters that Angelica was diagnosed with breast cancer and had several chemotherapy treatments. Family members believed she was getting better, but the family friends also mentioned that Angelica had become distant in recent months.
No suicide note was found. It's thought the shootings occurred last Saturday. Police responded after a woman called 911 to report that she'd heard gunfire coming from the Vazquez home. They knocked on the door and spoke to a neighbor, but found no reason to force their way in. It wasn't until four days later, on Wednesday of this week, that officers again tried to make contact with the family. Police decided to force their way into the family home after nobody came to answer the door on several occasions and an officer noticed the mail and newspapers had been left untouched.
It was then the horrific scene was discovered. The bodies of two men and two women were found in separate rooms. Close friends said Alejandro Vazquez was enrolled at Eastfield College and had recently graduated from Mesquite High School. 'He was the sweetest thing,' said Miranda Arnette, 16, who used to bowl with Alex on their high school team. 'He could light up a room with his smile,' she told WFAA. His sister, Paulina was a student at the University of North Texas student who was home for spring break.
Friends say she was popular and performed on her high school drill team. Their father, Marcelo was said to be a big rig trucker and Angelica worked in a school cafeteria. Stuffed animals animals and flowers now surround the mailbox of the family home as a makeshift memorial has sprung up. A memorial service for the family will be held tomorrow afternoon.
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Pic of the mother-
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