EAGLE MOUNTAIN LAKE - Friends and relatives say Mike and Patti Nichols seemed very happy in their upscale neighborhood, where they had lived for years with Patti's elderly mother.
Which is why they were stunned Monday morning when all three were found dead after a possible murder-suicide.
Neighbors awoke Monday to see the Tarrant County Sheriff SWAT team. According to officials, a gardener had found a note outside the Nichol's home that basically told him to call 911.
Inside, deputies found the bodies of Michael Nichols, 58, Patti Nichols, 56, and her elderly mother Tina.
"To be honest with you, yes, I'm shocked," said John Dreiling, the Nichols' nephew.
"They loved life," he continued. "My aunt loved life, my grandmother loved life, my uncle - they always seemed happy. Given the situation, I apologize. I'm at a loss for words."
According to sheriff's officials, there was a shotgun in the house, and the wounds appeared consistent with the gun. There were also writings consistent with a murder-suicide, but there has been no official conclusion.
It's all inconsistent for those who knew the family.
"It seemed like he was a pretty content guy," said neighbor Todd Snyder. "He was happy living out here."
Dreiling said he had been with the family on Thanksgiving and nothing seemed unusual.
Sheriff's investigators say they are still collecting information and they will release more details as they receive them.
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