Van Alstyne children die in house fire linked to dad's suicide

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Investigators in Grayson County believe a man took his own life and killed his two young children in a house fire.

The three bodies were found inside the burning home in the 100 block of Keppler Road in Van Alstyne Sunday afternoon.

The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office said it appears 45-year-old David Lee Small committed suicide and caused the deaths of 9-year-old Reagan and 8-year-old Grant. The family’s two pets also died.

A preliminary report from the medical examiner showed they all had significant signs of smoke inhalation, but no other signs of trauma. The toxicology reports are still pending, but officials believe the fire was intentionally set to murder the children.

Family friends told FOX4 the two kids loved sports and always had big smiles on their faces. They said Regan loved cheerleading.

The sheriff’s office said it has no history of calls to the address and an investigation is ongoing. The wife had reportedly taken steps toward getting a divorce.

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