Friends: Estranged husband previously threatened veterinarian wife he killed in murder-suicide

  Crystal KobzaSPRING, TX (KTRK) -- As word spreads that a beloved veterinarian and mother of two was killed by her estranged husband, we are learning more about the couple's troubled past and threats of violence he previously made toward her.

Employees we spoke with are devastated by the death of Dr. Karen Gunn, who was a veterinarian here in Spring. They also tell us they have feared for her safety for some time now.

"Dr. Gunn was a loving mother, she was a dedicated vet. This practice was her pride and joy," said Melissa Lemons, nurse at Veterinary Medical Center.

Lemons tells us there's no words to describe the devastation and shock family, friends and co-workers are going through since learning Dr. Gunn was shot and killed by her estranged husband.

"He was a very controlling person, and I believe as the years progressed, he became some what verbally abusive with the children and her," Lemons said.

Dr. Gunn's life was cut short when deputies say her estranged husband, Graham Gunn, killed her and then turned the gun on himself Monday afternoon. The tragic shooting happening in Dr. Gunn's backyard with the couple's two children nearby.

"The kids have been terrified. There's nothing worse than for you to be afraid of your own father," Lemons said.

According to the Montgomery County District Court, Dr. Gunn filed for divorce back in November of last year. The couple's next court date was scheduled for June 4.

Neighbors who live nearby say they knew they were separated, but never imagined things between the two would escalate to this.

"It's just shocking, it's pretty much shocking, never knew this would happen in our neighborhood," said neighbor Pascl Fortin.

But for today, Lemons tell us employees at Veterinary Medical Center are remembering Dr. Gunn for the wonderful person she was.

"That was the thing she was most proud of, in that as a practice owner, she could practice medicine to the degree that she wanted to," Lemons said.

Co-workers tell us Dr. Gunn had a restraining order in place against her estranged husband since filing for divorce back in November.

We're told funeral arrangements have not yet been sorted out as the family has to wait on the autopsies to be completed.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this story.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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HPD: Missing boy, 7, found at friend's house

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police called off their search Saturday for a missing seven-year-old boy after he was found safe.

Manuel Pizarro Jr. disappeared Friday night. He was seen riding his bicycle in an east Houston neighborhood, but he never made it home.

Police sent out a missing persons alert and scoured the area.

An HPD spokesperson announced around 12:30pm that the boy had been found. He was staying at a friend's house, officials said.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Moms of auto-ped victim, DWI suspect are friends

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A driver now faces charges for a crash that killed a man in scooter. The victim died while trying to save his girlfriend's son, who was sitting in his lap.

Just 24 hours after Clifford Johnson, 56, was hit and killed while riding his motorized scooter, police have charged the driver of the SUV that hit him. And in a strange twist, the mother of the accused is friends with the mother of the victim.

Wilmer Farley III has yet to be transferred here to the Harris County Jail from the city jail. He is charged with intoxication manslaughter. Police tell us their investigation determined that Farley, 20, was intoxicated when officers arrested him at the scene.

The accident happened near the 9300 block of west Montgomery in Acres Homes. Johnson had his one-year-old son in his lap and was thrown more than 20 feet after he was hit. He likely saved the child's life.

Johnson was on his scooter and maneuvered into the street to avoid mud and water that was blocking his path. The debris on the sidewalk was the result of what the city's public's work department is calling a minor leak on a major water line that services the neighborhood.

Johnson's mother's told us as heartbroken as she is over the loss of her only son, she forgives Farley.

"I know he didn't mean to kill my son, but you can't drive around under the influence of alcohol. You can't operate a vehicle like that," Rowana Hubbard said. "He's a young man. He's 20. Of course I forgive him. The Bible says if I don't, I can't get into heaven. I intend to go where my son is."

And Farley's mother has heard it first hand. Over the phone she said she called Hubbard because she has known her for years.

"I feel awful. I'm just devastated. I'm devastated what happened to her son," she told us.

But she says her son, Farley, was not intoxicated.

"They always take a long time; they put stuff off, and this is not the first time," resident Nita Ellis said.

People are also blaming the city. Workers were out fixing the water main leak that Johnson was apparently trying to avoid when he drove into the road and was hit. The city of Houston's Public Works Department has been aware of the problem since December 21. They called it a minor leak and said the holidays delayed repair.

Little comfort for Hubbard.

"My son had to lose his life because of it," she said.

Crews with the city's public works department are fixing that leak on West Montgomery.

When asked whether the city had any role in Johnson's death, a spokesperson said "to go that route is a bit premature," and that's all "speculative."

Farley's bond has been set at $50,000. He has yet to make a first court appearance.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Family, friends mourn death of teen killed in wreck

KATY, TX (KTRK) -- Winter break is supposed to be a time of festivities and relaxation, but one high school community is in mourning because of a life cut short.

A Cinco Ranch High School student was killed and another injured when the car they were in crashed on South Mason Road near Cinco Ranch Boulevard. Neither was wearing a seat belt.

Parents, classmates and teammates are all devastated. Chris Saiz, their star basketball player and an outstanding young man is dead and they just don't understand why.

The tears were no more heartbreaking than from his girlfriend, Tyler Reichert, and his childhood friend, Trey Pinkney.

"He always knew what to say to lift my spirits up or when he was in trouble with me," Reichert said.

"He's more than just a friend to me, he was like family. I would do anything for him, I'd take a bullet for him," added Pinkney.

The candlelight vigil held in front of the school gym Wednesday night wasn't the only place where friends mourned.

At the accident site on Mason Road, flowers marked the spot where investigators say around 10:15pm Tuesday, the car Saiz was riding in lost control.

"It's unreal," a friend said.

"It doesn't even feel like it's happening," said another.

Investigators say the driver, 17-year-old Derrick Jones, survived. But Saiz, apparently not wearing a seat belt, died. The death of this popular high school junior and star athlete brought hundreds out to Cinco Ranch High School.

Saiz's brother and parents were embraced by his basketball teammates, while students tried to understand the unexplainable.

"Your heart just drops and you can't believe that it's one of your very own basketball players who you play with, and it's really sad; tears started flowing out of everybody's eyes and it's just a hard thing to take in," classmate Andrew Fung said.

The teenager, who was looked up to by so many, is still teaching others a lesson.

"Just cherish every second you have, because it could be your last," Reichert said.

Saiz's birthday is December 26, one day after Christmas. But two days before Christmas -- on Friday -- his family will be holding a memorial service in his honor.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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