“He wasn’t as good as social media made him seem” — Thy Mitchell’s sister is speaking out about the husband’s alleged behavior before the tragedy

The restaurant owners appeared in a 2020 episode of the Food Network series.

Guy Fieri; Matthew and Thy MitchellPaul Archuleta/Getty Images; Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Matthew and Thy Mitchell, a couple who appeared in Guy Fieri’s Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, were recently found dead in Houston, Texas.

On Monday, May 4, Houston police discovered the Mitchells and their two children, 4 and 8, dead at their home in the River Oaks area during a welfare check, according to a news release, per TMZ.

Matthew, 52, is the suspect in the case, according to the Houston Police Department. No prior incidents of domestic violence calls to the Mitchells’ home were on record.

Thy and Matthew were featured in a Season 34 episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives titled “Mouthwatering Meat” in January 2020. They owned and operated two restaurants, Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart, in addition to a clothing brand.

The Mitchells’ Restaurants Have Posted About Their Deaths, Asking for Privacy

On May 6, the Mitchells’ restaurants shared a joint post on Instagram addressing their deaths and the case.

“As Traveler’s Table and Traveler’s Cart remain open for business, we want to thank our loyal staff, who have shown up and worked through these difficult circumstances, ensuring that we continue to serve our community,” the message began.

It added, “We are asking for unity and respect for our privacy as we navigate this immense loss. Hospitality comes from within, and to honor the Traveler’s Legacy, we will continue to welcome you into our restaurants.”

In 2025, the Houston chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association named Thy and Matthew the Restaurateurs of the Year.

“She hosted the Houston Restaurant Association board meeting last week,” the association’s local president, Craig Howard, told ABC 13 Houston. “Afterward, they had a social for us, and had 50 restaurateurs show up. Great operation. Wonderful staff, great food.”

Howard also said that Thy was recently asked to join the board of the Houston Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association.

“She was so energetic. She loved the restaurant world,” Chef Jassi Bindra, who had been planning a dinner collaboration with Thy, told ABC 13 Houston. “It’s really shocking to hear what happened. All our support goes to her family and friends.”