“Everyone is worried about you. We have been told that you are a drug addict and alcoholic. These are not words a mother wants to hear,” Katherine Houston wrote. “I don’t blame anyone for any addictions they may have. As long as they can recognize them and take steps to correct them.”

Katherine Houston was being deposed the morning of April 8, when her husband opened fire in a law office, killing her former daughter-in-law, Ashley Prince, and her new husband, Dennis Prince, before turning the gun on himself.

The gunman, attorney Joseph Houston, was representing his son in a bitter custody battle. His son, also a lawyer, was not present.

Family Court records, unsealed by a judge Friday, detail a contentious, years-long legal fight between Dylan Houston and his ex-wife. It is unclear how Ashley Prince obtained the undated letter, which was submitted by her attorneys.

Attorney Gerald Hardcastle, who now represents Dylan Houston, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

At the time the shots were fired, Katherine Houston was answering questions about Dylan’s drinking, according to her attorney, Lisa Rasmussen, who declined to comment on her client’s letter. Rasmussen witnessed the shooting.

In the letter, Katherine Houston wrote that she was shocked to learn that her son wanted a divorce. She encouraged him to learn from his mistakes and try to be a better person.

He also warned him that following the wrong path could end his career as a lawyer. He spoke fondly of his son and daughter, now 4 and 5, and emphasized the importance of focusing on the children.

“Please think about them as you move forward in your life,” he wrote. “Make good decisions. I love you so much Dylan.”

Contact Briana Erickson at [email protected] or 702-387-5244. Continue @ByBrianaE On twitter.