A family of four have been found dead in a Texas home in what investigators say is an apparent murder-suicide, after they lost a toddler just a few weeks ago.
Police had been called to Aberdeen Drive in Allen, Texas, on Monday morning in response to a welfare check.
A resident had called officers after they'd been locked out of the home for about two hours and couldn't get anyone to come to the door.
After police eventually made their way inside the property, they found the bodies of father Farman Sherwani, mother Layla Sherwani, 12-year-old son Shaheen Sherwani and 2-year-old son Mateen Sherwani.
Police also confirmed the family lost their 4-year-old daughter Lyian Sherwani to a drowning earlier this month.
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Police had been called to the family property on Aberdeen Drive in Allen, Texas, on Monday morning in response to a welfare check
Imam Abdul Rahman Bashir, the religious director for the Islamic Association of Allen, pictured here, said the news had shattered the community
While the specifics of that incident are not clear, police say the drowning was a factor in Monday's murder-suicide.
The Islamic Association of Allen confirmed that the family members were part of the local Muslim community.
Imam Abdul Rahman Bashir, the religious director for the Islamic Association of Allen, told NBC: 'Waking up to the news of losing a four member family all of a sudden is not something that anyone can be prepared for, family members or let alone anyone in the community, so it's been a very heavy day for everyone in the community'
Bashir says the family was already going through a rough situation with the drowning of their daughter.
He continued: 'In this type of situation, it's not easy for any family. In spite of having many family members here, they were really broken.'
Neighbor Jacqueline Soto told NBC: 'It was just really sad and hard and all of us felt for the family as we were watching them mourn in the front yard.'
In a letter issued by Susanne Miller, the Principal of nearby Olson Elementary, she said: 'Today I was notified of the unexpected death of a 5th grade Olson Elementary Student.
Neighbor Jacqueline Soto, pictured here, said she had watched the family mourn their losses in their front yard
Bashir says the family was already going through a rough situation with the drowning of their daughter
'We are all shocked and saddened by this news. I ask that you please keep the family and loved ones in your thoughts over the coming days and months.'
A funeral was held for the family on Tuesday at 5pm, which is customary in Islamic tradition.
In a similar incident just a few years ago, a family of six who belonged to the same mosque were killed in a murder-suicide in Allen.
Allen, with a population of over 111,000 people, is about 25 miles north of Dallas.
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