Highland Park Morning Family Tragedy May Have Been Suicide

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Update: It was revealed that John Steele was taking Ambien for sleeplessness, a powerful drug that’s been linked to strange behaviors while the patient is asleep but acting in a wake state.

A tragically sad and disturbing story in the 3200 block of Cornell Avenue in Highland Park, where bystanders and police are now saying a Highland Park man, John Rodman Steele, allegedly attempted to stab his wife early this morning before apparently killing himself.

According to Sgt. Lance Koppa, a spokesman for Highland Park, Dina Steele, the wife, awoke to John Steele standing above her with a knife. There was a struggle, and Dina was injured. Their teenage son apparently disarmed John, who then took off to the downstairs kitchen of the 6,000 plus square foot home.  John then used another item in the house to inflict wounds on himself at about 4:18 a.m, apparently fatal. He was pronounced dead after being transported to Baylor Medical Center, where Dina Steele is in stable condition physically.

Koppa has told media outlets the attack at this time seems to be a surprise to all parties involved. The Steeles had lived in the six bedroom house since 1992. They were married in 1986 and were active members of Highland Park United Methodist Church. John Steele is or was the treasurer of Rodman Exploration, with an office on McKinney Avenue.  The home is a beautiful white painted brick corner lot with six bedrooms, five and a half baths and a pool.

Candy Evans, founder and publisher of CandysDirt.com, is one of the nation’s leading real estate reporters.

18 Comments

  1. Wyman on July 11, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    "I wonder how much longer I gotta sit in front of this frigging house with the flag on the end?"

  2. Wyman on July 11, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    "I wonder how much longer I gotta sit in front of this frigging house with the flag on the end?"

  3. Cheryl on July 11, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    What a horrible thing for this family. Prayers for her physical recovery and that the whole family can find healing, emotionally and spiritually.

  4. Cheryl on July 11, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    What a horrible thing for this family. Prayers for her physical recovery and that the whole family can find healing, emotionally and spiritually.

  5. Odd post on July 11, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    This post is about a terrible family tragedy & this is the last sentence … 'The home is a beautiful white painted brick corner lot with six bedrooms, five and a half baths and a pool.'

    Weird.

  6. Odd post on July 11, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    This post is about a terrible family tragedy & this is the last sentence … 'The home is a beautiful white painted brick corner lot with six bedrooms, five and a half baths and a pool.'

    Weird.

  7. Macho Man on July 12, 2012 at 12:07 am

    At first blush I thought same thing, but the schtick for this blog is homes and in a weird way, Candy was using the house description to portray the image of the perfect, stable family life that one would expect behind such well-manicured brick. Tragedy, indeed.

  8. Macho Man on July 12, 2012 at 12:07 am

    At first blush I thought same thing, but the schtick for this blog is homes and in a weird way, Candy was using the house description to portray the image of the perfect, stable family life that one would expect behind such well-manicured brick. Tragedy, indeed.

  9. In response to "Odd Post" on July 12, 2012 at 9:27 am

    I don't understand why it is not ok to describe the home. This is a real estate blog. And sadly, tragedies happen all the time. This one involved a beautiful home in one of the nicest neighborhoods. Not at all what we would expect. If you are so freak out by this post, perhaps make a donation in honor of the family to a mental health facility or suicide crisis line instead of thinking about how weird the post is. What's weird is how this country doesn't take mental health seriously and see it as a "real" illness….

  10. In response to "Odd Post" on July 12, 2012 at 9:27 am

    I don't understand why it is not ok to describe the home. This is a real estate blog. And sadly, tragedies happen all the time. This one involved a beautiful home in one of the nicest neighborhoods. Not at all what we would expect. If you are so freak out by this post, perhaps make a donation in honor of the family to a mental health facility or suicide crisis line instead of thinking about how weird the post is. What's weird is how this country doesn't take mental health seriously and see it as a "real" illness….

  11. Wyman on July 12, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    His Midland mother lives in a home next door according to the Dallas Morning News…

  12. Wyman on July 12, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    His Midland mother lives in a home next door according to the Dallas Morning News…

  13. MachMachoMan on July 14, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    The inside story is that John must have had a terrible reaction to his medication. This is a fine family, outstanding, and no problems. The kind of people who would seek intelligent help if there were problems. John had had trouble sleeping and I wonder, I wonder if he was taking Ambien. Kerry Kennedy was just arrested for DWI but she claims she had taken Ambien which supposedly can make you do strange things with no memory recall. The toxicology report will be illuminating and may prevent this tragedy from being repeated.

    On another note, did anyone see the headline for this story in Park Cities People? Very, very poor taste.

  14. MachMachoMan on July 14, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    The inside story is that John must have had a terrible reaction to his medication. This is a fine family, outstanding, and no problems. The kind of people who would seek intelligent help if there were problems. John had had trouble sleeping and I wonder, I wonder if he was taking Ambien. Kerry Kennedy was just arrested for DWI but she claims she had taken Ambien which supposedly can make you do strange things with no memory recall. The toxicology report will be illuminating and may prevent this tragedy from being repeated.

    On another note, did anyone see the headline for this story in Park Cities People? Very, very poor taste.

  15. Saddened on July 15, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    This must be neurological. There are rare psychotic side-effects to some prescription medications. Could be Huntington's Disease or possible early stages of a rare dementia. No one is responsible except the medical community. Let them figure it out. This is a huge loss for everyone. Offer condolences and respect.

  16. Saddened on July 15, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    This must be neurological. There are rare psychotic side-effects to some prescription medications. Could be Huntington's Disease or possible early stages of a rare dementia. No one is responsible except the medical community. Let them figure it out. This is a huge loss for everyone. Offer condolences and respect.

  17. Minda moor on July 16, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    My sad guess is that ambien or similar caused hallucinations that triggered this terrible event. This has happened to someone i know
    Personally and brain chemistry is probably involved. I am happy to hear this is a faithful family. They will find a way to cope.

  18. Minda moor on July 16, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    My sad guess is that ambien or similar caused hallucinations that triggered this terrible event. This has happened to someone i know
    Personally and brain chemistry is probably involved. I am happy to hear this is a faithful family. They will find a way to cope.

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