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Officials: Ex-councilman found hanged, wheelchair-bound daughter strangled in Collin Co. home

Donald Zriny and Amanda Zriny were found dead inside the home in the 300 block of Ingram Lane in Lucas about 4 p.m. Sunday.

LUCAS — The two bodies found at a home in Lucas on Sunday were a former city councilman who had hanged himself and his 26-year-old daughter who had been strangled, officials say.

Donald Zriny, 58, a former Lucas councilman, and Amanda Zriny were found dead inside the home in the 300 block of Ingram Lane in Lucas about 4 p.m. Sunday.

Amanda Zriny had physical disabilities and used a wheelchair, Lucas Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Peele told WFAA.

A woman identifying herself as Zriny’s wife and mother of the strangled woman called 911. She told the operator her husband had hanged himself and that someone had killed their daughter.

The Collin County medical examiner's office ruled her death a homicide and Donald Zriny's death a suicide. The incident appeared to be contained to the home and there was no threat to the public, authorities said.

Zriny was a Lucas city councilman from 2005 to 2012, Mayor Jim Olk confirmed.

“It is truly sad when anyone loses their life," Olk said in a statement. "Don Zriny helped guide and mold the City of Lucas while he was on the Lucas City Council from 2005 through 2012. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family in this time of loss.”

“The Don I knew was a loving, caring father and he did a good job,” she said.

Peele says she saw Zriny, a network engineer according to his LinkedIn account, and Amanda at a local fast food restaurant only a few weeks ago.

“You know, you can’t tell the inside of someone’s family by outside appearances,” she said. “I hope through all of this at the end of the day people might realize that we don’t know the quiet desperation that people may be facing and that we become a little more kind and forgiving toward one another.”

Check back for more on this developing story.

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