Highland Park family tragedy was an apparent suicide

John Steele apparently attacked his wife before taking his own life.

Photo by Candy Evans

3217 Cornell Avenue in Highland Park

In a tragically sad and disturbing story in the 3200 block of Cornell Avenue in Highland Park, bystanders and police are now saying a Highland Park man, John Rodman Steele, allegedly attempted to stab his wife early Wednesday 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 seemed 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.