Hello everyone. The Austin Police Department (APD) is asking for your help to track down a suspected serial killer, whose DNA has been linked to two horrific murders. The victims, two women, were found dead in different locations across the Austin metropolitan area, but the evidence suggests a chilling connection.
Let’s take you back to June 21. It was around 4 p.m. when a call came into the police. Someone had seen something unsettling at a home on Metcalfe Road, and when officers arrived, their worst fears were confirmed. Inside the abandoned house lay the body of Alyssa Rivera, a 34-year-old woman. The scene pointed to foul play, and detectives quickly began piecing together what had happened.
Just over a week later, on July 3, the police released a video hoping to identify a person of interest in Rivera’s murder. The footage shows a man, who appears to be Hispanic, walking next to a woman who is notably taller than him. This individual could hold the key to solving the case, but he remains at large.
As the investigation deepened, a shocking discovery was made. The DNA evidence from Rivera’s case matched DNA from an unsolved murder in 2018. The victim in that case, Alba Jenisse Aviles, was found dead in Bastrop County after leaving a club in Austin. The proximity of the crimes—just a few miles apart—suggests the killer may have a specific hunting ground.
But here’s where it gets even more terrifying. The APD believes that these murders are not isolated incidents. Both cases show signs of being sexually motivated, and while no suspect has been officially identified, the same DNA ties these two brutal crimes together.
Austin officially has a serial killer, one who is targeting young Hispanic women on the east side. The death penalty needs to at least be on the table. What is to stop this man from killing again?@JosePGarza‘s lax prosecution policies encourage crime to come to our community.…
— Daniel W. Betts (@bettsforda) August 15, 2024
Now, you might be thinking, “This sounds like something out of a crime novel,” but unfortunately, this is all too real. Austin has a dark history with serial killers, with one of the most infamous cases being that of Raul Meza Jr. His crimes stretch back decades, and his arrest last year sent shockwaves through the community. Meza’s heinous acts included the murder of an 8-year-old girl in 1982, and he’s been in and out of prison ever since. Just last year, he was accused of another gruesome murder, and authorities believe he might be connected to several other unsolved cases.
As the search for Rivera and Aviles’s killer intensifies, the APD is leaving no stone unturned. They’re urging anyone who might have information to come forward. If you know something, anything, that could help, you can reach out to the police or contact Capital Area Crime Stoppers anonymously. Your tip could be the one that finally brings justice to the victims and their families.
As the APD continues its investigation, one thing is clear: the hunt for this suspected serial killer is far from over. Stay safe, Austin, and keep your eyes open.
