A well-known real estate agent from Miami, along with her two daughters and their father, was discovered murdered in their home, a case that police suspect may involve murder-suicide.
Melanie Hyer, 46, her daughters, Savannah, 11, and Sienna, 8, as well as their father, Ryan Charles Whiten, 42, were found deceased in Hyer’s Doral residence during a welfare check on Tuesday evening, as reported by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Each member of the family suffered stab wounds, according to authorities.
“Investigators with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Homicide Bureau currently consider this incident to be a murder-suicide,” officials stated. “We are working closely with the Miami-Dade County Coroner’s Office as the investigation continues.”
Authorities are waiting for autopsy results from the county Medical Examiner’s Office.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Whiten was originally from Manhasset, New York. He worked in probate real estate in South Florida, focusing on luxury waterfront and commercial properties. He was often featured as an expert in various media.
Hyer and Whiten had separated several years prior and were co-parenting their daughters at the time of Hyer’s death. They both had remarried but had since divorced.
White’s ex-spouse commented that their relationship had been troubling for years and involved a contentious custody dispute over their daughter.
However, Whiten’s ex-wife, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed her shock at the events and described him as a devoted father who was kind to his daughters. She also noted that there had been no visible signs of conflict, although she had harbored fears about Hyer possibly trying to take their daughters.
“I just can’t understand what led to this,” she mentioned.
She recalled that Whiten had reached out to her three weeks before his death to express gratitude, a correspondence she now views as a farewell.
Following the news, community members expressed their sorrow over the tragedy, which has deeply impacted South Florida. Doral Mayor Kristi Fraga, who knew Hyer and her daughters well, described the incident as “an unimaginable tragedy.” She wrote on Instagram that this loss feels especially personal, as she admired Hyer as a loving mother.
Fraga informed CBS News that Hyer was a “ray of sunshine” who actively participated in school activities.
Janet Acevedo Eisenberg, the principal at Downtown Doral Elementary School, where the two girls attended, announced that grief counseling and emotional support animals would be available for students affected by this loss.
“Both students were truly loved by their school community,” Acevedo-Eisenberg noted in an email.
If you’re in New York City and struggling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, you can contact 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential support.
If you’re outside the five boroughs, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
