Austin Police Seek Help to Identify Suspected Serial Killer

Austin, Texas – The Austin PD, along with other law enforcement agencies, appealed to the public on Wednesday for help in identifying a serial killer believed to be responsible for the murders of two women, Alyssa Ann Rivera, 34, and Alba Jenisse Aviles, 28.

This person needs to be caught. We know that he is out there, and we need the public's assistance to help identify him.
— Sgt. Nathan Sexton, Austin PD

On June 21, at approx. 4 p.m., Austin PD responded to a 911 call, discovering Rivera's body in an abandoned home on Metcalfe Road. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted. Surveillance footage places her with an unidentified man shortly before her death; he is now a suspect.

On Aug. 7, DNA evidence linked this suspect to the 2018 cold case murder of Aviles in Bastrop County. Aviles was found strangled and sexually assaulted in her car, with a similar modus operandi to Rivera's case.

Despite collaboration between Austin PD, Bastrop County Sheriff's Office, and Texas Rangers, the suspect's DNA has not been matched to any records.

It is relatively rare for someone committing really violent murders to not have been arrested or detained for a previous crime.
— Sgt. Nathan Sexton, responding to reporters' questions

If you have any information, contact:

• Austin PD: 512-974-TIPS
• Anonymous tips: visit http://austincrimestoppers.org or call 512-472-8477