DNA evidence links two unsolved Texas murders to the same suspect, police say

AUSTIN, TX (Gray News) – New DNA evidence linking two unsolved murders in Texas could help police hunt for the suspect responsible for both killings.

On August 7, 2024, Austin Police announced that a DNA link had been found between the June murder of Alyssa Ann Rivera and the 2018 murder of Alba Jenisse Aviles.

Rivera's body was found on June 21 after police received a report of a dead person in the 2600 block of Metcalfe Road. When officers arrived at the scene, they found an “apparently” dead woman in an abandoned home.

Homicide detectives and forensic specialists were on site to search the crime scene and interview witnesses. Investigators believe that Rivera was murdered at this location by an unknown perpetrator.

On July 3, police released new images of a suspect in Rivera's murder. Surveillance video shows Rivera walking with the suspect shortly before she was killed. Police say the person accompanying Rivera is a short, Hispanic man. Police are asking the public for help in identifying him.

Police initially believed Rivera's murder was an isolated incident, but after reviewing DNA evidence, her death may be linked to an unsolved murder from six years ago.

The related case is the murder of Alba Jenisse Aviles, who was found dead in the 300 block of Old San Antonio Road in Bastrop County, Texas on April 14, 2018. Aviles' murder is being investigated by the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office.

Officials say Aviles left the Club Caribe on Felter Lane in Austin the night of her murder, just over 3 miles from where Rivera's body was found.

According to police, both murders were apparently sexual murders and both victims were probably strangled.

No suspects have been identified in either case. Police are asking anyone with information to call 512-974-TIPS or report tips to austincrimestoppers.org or 512-472-8477.

A reward of up to $1,000 may be offered for information leading to an arrest.

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