Florida realtor and two daughters killed in apparent murder-suicide in Doral

A Florida real estate agent and her two young daughters were killed in an apparent murder-suicide at a home in Doral, police said.

The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office said officers found Melanie Hyer, 46, Ryan Whiten, 42, and their daughters Savannah, 11, and Sienna, 8, dead inside the property on Tuesday.

Authorities said all four had suffered stab wounds. Investigators believe Whiten killed Hyer and the two girls before taking his own life. All four were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to NBC Miami, Hyer was a well-known realtor in the area and had appeared on the outlet several times as a real estate expert.

The outlet reported that Hyer and Whiten were no longer together but had continued co-parenting their daughters.

Doral Mayor Christi Fraga said in a statement: "As a mother, and as someone who personally knew and admired the loving and dedicated mother at the center of this tragedy, this loss feels especially close to home."

"My heart aches for their loved ones, classmates, teachers, friends, neighbors, and everyone grieving during this incredibly painful time," she added.

WSVN reported that Whiten’s former wife described his relationship with Hyer as toxic and said the pair had been involved in a dispute concerning their daughters.

The children’s school also paid tribute, saying: “Our community is mourning the loss of two of our beloved students."