Officials say father killed family in Doral murder-suicide – NBC 6 South Florida

A father killed his two daughters and the children’s mother, a prominent South Florida real estate professional, before killing himself inside a Doral home this week, authorities confirmed Thursday.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office officials said 42-year-old Ryan Charles Whiten, his daughters, 11-year-old Savannah Whiten and 8-year-old Sienna Whiten, and their mother, 46-year-old Melanie Hyer, were found dead in the Doral Isles neighborhood in the area of Northwest 111th Court and Northwest 72nd Terrace during a welfare check Tuesday night.

“The investigation revealed that Mr. Whiten committed these heinous acts and then took his own life,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement Thursday.

They had all suffered stab wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene in what the sheriff’s office believes was a murder-suicide.

Hyer and Whiten separated years ago and were co-parenting their daughters, sources close to the case told NBC6.

Court records show that Hyer was married to another man until March of this year. Whiten also remarried, but that marriage also ended. His last known address was an apartment also in the Doral Isles neighborhood.

A prominent South Florida realtor, her two young daughters and the girls’ father have been identified as the people killed in an apparent murder-suicide in Doral. NBC6’s Lorena Inclan reports

Hyer was a probate real estate professional who had been frequently interviewed by NBC6 to share her knowledge and insights about the real estate industry.

Friends described her as an amazing professional and human being who brought happiness with her beautiful smile.

Videos shared Thursday with NBC6 by Ryan Whiten’s ex-wife show Savannah and Sienna during happier times.

Hilda Zerpa told NBC6 that the girls were Ryan Whiten’s whole world.

Hilda Zerpa

Hilda Zerpa

The girls attended Downtown Doral Elementary and were also members of the Doral Field Hockey team, which remembered them in an Instagram post on Wednesday.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by them,” the post read. “They were an important part of our community and will be remembered for their kindness, friendship, and the positive impact they had on everyone around them.”

Authorities haven’t said how long the bodies were inside the home or given a possible motive, but said the incident remains under investigation.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.