On January 12th, the APD investigated a deceased persons call at the 3000 block of Guadalupe. James Loren Brown was found dead by his roommate after coming back from the holidays, and APD linked the composite sketch of the Barerra suspect with Brown while also taking into account the proximity of Brown's residence and the attacks that took place on New Year's. FOX is reporting that DNA taken from a New Year's Day attack matched Brown's, and that it also matches four other unsolved cases. No word on whether DNA has been matched to Esme Barrera's case, though police are confirming Brown is the prime suspect in her case as well. Brown was considered a suspect in attacks in "South Austin early July 1, on joggers on July 8, and an attack on Sept. 11 around 8:30 a.m. at Comal and Haskell streets in East Austin," according to the Statesman. more ›

Earlier today, we reported on the west campus murder of Esme Barrera, a 29-year-old staple of Austin's creative community. This evening, we have a couple updates, including the featured composite sketch provided by Austin PD.

Though KXAN reported earlier today that one woman was followed and then attacked by what is likely the same suspect, the Statesman confirms tonight that there were actually three victims on New Year's morning. One woman was followed and attacked outside shortly after 2 a.m. (she screamed and the suspect fled), and another woman was attacked inside her home around 5 a.m. (she sustained mild injuries and the suspect fled). Barrera was discovered by a friend around 2:45 a.m. seriously injured, and 911 was called. This is slightly different than the original report which stated that a general "welfare check" was called in to police, resulting in the discovery of Barrera's body. This news also makes the murderer's timeline very tight: he likely fled the attack at 31st and King Street and went directly to Barrera's King Street residence, or hid nearby.

The composite sketch is based on the description given to the police regarding the first attack (about 30 minutes before the King Street murder). That victim describes the culprit as a black male between 30-40 years old, approximately 6' with a muscular build, and having large dark brown eyes. He was last seen in a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect in the composite or about any of the three incidents occurring in the area of W. 31st and King Street during the early morning hours of January 1, 2012 is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 477-3588 or Crimestoppers at 472-TIPS. more ›

We've only just begun to recover from the shocking news of Austin's first homicide of 2012, and noted that another attack was linked to it, but this afternoon we are aware of yet another body found in north Austin. Weareaustin.com is reporting that another body has been found in a dumpster at 9009 North Lamar Blvd. That's six miles or so north of where Sunday's body was found, and indicates a different M.O. (body dumped instead of left at the scene), but it still raises eyebrows for residents not used to so much homicide in so few days here in Austin. No word on if the victim in this case was male or female, but we'll follow up when we have more information. more ›

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Think you know Austin? Austin360 isn't so sure: "There should be more to being a true Austinite than just moving here because you had a great time at South by Southwest and thought it was like that here year round. You should have to know a few basic things about Austin before you can officially refer to it as your hometown." Take their "AQ" test and find out. Another mortgage company with employees in... more ›

Authorities in New York arrested 43-year-old Paul Devoe III, the man believed responsible for a grisly quadruple homicide that happened in Jonestown, Texas, this weekend. Devoe is also allegedly linked to the murder of a bartender in Marble Falls last Friday, as well as another slaying in Pennsylvania. Details remain scarce, but a spokesman for the Travis County sheriff's department described Sunday's crime scene as "fairly bloody, fairly gruesome." The Capital Area Metro Planning... more ›

After an intensive manhunt to find the perpetrators of the Juneteenth murder of David Rivas Morales, Austin Police announced on Tuesday that they've arrested the man believed to have delivered the fatal blow that left Morales unconscious. Kurtiss Colvin, a 20-year-old former high school athlete, has been charged with manslaughter—a second-degree felony—as well as several lesser charges. His bail has been set at $215,000. Morales was leaving a Juneteenth celebration when the Ford Taurus he... more ›

A father and son were walking home from church last night in the Capital Plaza area (around Cameron Rd. and Reinli) when they were robbed. After taking everything the immigrant family had on them, the robbers shot and killed the teenage boy, in front of his father. If you were in the area behind Popeye's Chicken and the Austin Cornerstone Church last night around 10pm and witnessed anything, please call 477-3588 (the homicide tip... more ›

APD needs your help in solving a homicide case that happened in downtown Austin over a week ago: at approximately 3:22am on Saturday, March 10th, 28-year-old Jeremy Anderson and another guy were leaving 6th Street when they became involved in an "altercation" with three black males. Anderson was struck in the process, falling to the ground. Last Saturday, March 17th, at Brackenridge Hospital, he was pronounced dead. The indicident took place at East 7th and... more ›

An 18-wheeler struck a pedestrian at the intersection of East Ben White and the south I-35 northbound service road just over an hour ago. Understandably, traffic at that intersection is extremely congested. From the Statesman's Blotter: A news release by the Austin Police Department: At approximately 2:50 p.m., APD patrol officers responded to a collision at East Ben White Boulevard and the south I-35 northbound service road. It is believed that an 18-wheeler was... more ›

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Austin media was abuzz yesterday over the alleged kidnapping of 26-year old Lilian Gomez near the busy downtown intersection of Third and Red River, at around 1 A.M. on Sunday morning. Gomez and an unnamed female friend were reportedly ambushed by a group of men, who beat up the two ladies and then stuffed Gomez into their jalopy. What was so utterly astounding about this incident was the sheer bravado displayed by these loathsome individuals, driving off with the helpless victim in front of countless bystanders. more ›

A series of gunshot sounds prompted several 911 calls early this morning. Austin police responded to the scene, where they found one man dead in the North Austin home. Another was taken to Brackenridge hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Details are scarce as this story is just now breaking, but the police department has declared that they're investigating this as a double homicide. Several witnesses were detained from the scene of the crime, and are now being questioned at police headquarters. We'll keep you posted as details become clearer. more ›

This is a post from our new contributor, Elizabeth...(We swear, we're getting her an account soon) more ›

Our buddies at The Statesman have written an article about the increase in gas prices, complete with a FAQ list of sorts. If you want to know why gas prices are so high, etc., check it out. If you just want to bitch about it, you know what to do. We hate when people say "you know what to do" on answering machines. Sorry, we digress. more ›