Houston mom kills 4-year-old daughter in murder-suicide just hours after losing custody fight with ex-husband

A Houston mother killed her 4-year-old daughter and then herself in a murder-suicide on Tuesday night just hours after a judge ruled against her in a custody dispute. The custody ruling was handed down about eight hours before the shooting took place.

Cibelle Savella, 35, had been ordered to give her daughter Vivian over to her ex-husband, Aaron Savella. According to ABC13, she fatally shot the little girl inside her Houston residence before shooting herself instead of giving her up to her father per the judge's order.

"There was a custody hearing earlier today that didn't go well for the mother," Houston Police Lieutenant Larry Crowson said. "She came home, shot her 4-year-old, and then shot herself," he added. Savella was taken to the hospital but died the following day.

The order prohibited the mom from going to the girl's school events and extracurricular activities, required her to pay child support to her ex-husband, and it made her responsible for half of any uncovered medical costs.

Vivian's surviving family members described themselves as "devastated," per KHOU 11. "Vivian was 4-years-old. She was loved without limit by her father, Aaron, and by everyone whose life she touched. There are no words for what has been taken from us."

"Aaron did everything the law asks of a parent who is trying to protect his child. He trusted the courts. He followed every order. He waited for the process to work. On Tuesday, a judge placed Vivian in his primary care, and she was supposed to come home to him that evening. She never did."

"I've been practicing family law for 28 years and have never experienced anything like this. I don't think anyone in this courtroom on Tuesday contemplated this could be the outcome," the family's attorney said.