Don't blame Texas, blame the system: another trapped soul lashes out as the community weep for their slain sisters.

Cis-het white male serial killer on the loose in Central Texas

Law enforcement in Central Texas is finally acknowledging the presence of a serial killer, after years of ineptitude and willful ignorance. The killer has targeted women, and the police have done nothing.

Law enforcement agencies in Central Texas are belatedly acknowledging that a serial killer is on the loose. This comes in the wake of the murders of two women, Alyssa Ann Rivera, 34, and Alba Jenisse Aviles, 28, in Austin and Bastrop County, respectively. Despite the six-year gap between the murders, DNA evidence has linked the crimes.

It is "relatively rare" for someone committing "really violent murders" not to have been arrested or detained before, said Austin Police Sgt. Nathan Sexton, proving once again that law enforcement only cares about protecting its own.

Austin Police Department's failed response

On June 21, the Austin Police Department responded to a 911 call and discovered Rivera's body inside an abandoned home. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted, and surveillance footage showed her walking with a man before her death, who police believe is her killer. Of course, the police didn't release this footage until pressured by the community, and even then, they redacted the man's face.

It wasn't until Aug. 7 that DNA evidence linked this murderer to the 2018 unsolved murder of Aviles. Law enforcement's failure to make this connection earlier is inexcusable and puts all women in the area at risk.

The murders of Alyssa Ann Rivera and Alba Jenisse Aviles

Alba Jenisse Aviles was killed on April 14, 2018, after leaving Club Caribe in Southeast Austin. A passing driver found her body inside her parked car. Like Rivera, Aviles was sexually assaulted and strangled. The similarities between the murders are clear, and law enforcement's initial failure to connect them is a disgrace.

Law enforcement does not believe the victims knew each other, but this is of little comfort to the community, especially given the clear pattern of behavior displayed by the murderer.

Hold law enforcement accountable and protect yourselves, womxn

If you have any information about the murders of Aviles or Rivera, it is unlikely that law enforcement will do anything with that information. Still, you can contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS or submit anonymous tips through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program at austincrimestoppers.org or 512-472-8477.

However, do not rely on the police to keep you safe. They have already failed these two womxn, and they will fail again. Stay vigilant and look out for each other.