A woman in Texas, who was shot dead along with her husband and six children, had sent a text message to her mother before the shooting, saying that she was being held hostage.
According to the BBC, Valerie Jackson prompted her mother to call authorities through the text message.
The suspect David Conley, who had previously dated Jackson, appeared in court for the first time on Monday.
The eight victims were found dead on Saturday in their home in Texas.
