DNA evidence has linked two unsolved murders in Texas to the same person, sparking discussions of a possible serial killer.
While investigating Alyssa Ann Rivera’s June 21 death, Austin Police Department (APD) homicide detectives and crime specialists discovered DNA evidence that connected the case to the 2018 homicide of Alba Jenisse Aviles in Bastrop County.
As previously reported by CrimeOnline, APD responded to a call about a body discovery at around 4 p.m. on June 21 and found Rivera, 34, dead, at home in the 2600 block of Metcalfe Road in southeast Austin. Investigators believe Rivera was killed in the abandoned residence by an unknown suspect.
On July 3, police released a video showing two people walking down a street. The video depicted a Hispanic male and a taller woman.
On April 14, 2018, the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) discovered the body of Alba Jenisse Aviles in the 300 block of Old San Antonio Road. Aviles was last seen three miles from where she was later found, after leaving Club Caribe on Felter Lane in Austin.
APD and BCSO are now collaborating on the DNA-linked cases, which law enforcement officials state are both “sexual in nature.” Both women were also strangled, police said.
“There could be more. These are the only two we’ve actually linked through DNA,” officials said, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“Anyone that knows (Rivera) would hopefully come forward if they had any little bit of trivial information. Someone they thought she might have been hanging out with recently. Somebody that maybe moved into town recently,” officials said. “Any little bit that they think would be helpful, especially knowing there’s another victim in this case.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact APD at 512-974-TIPS. Anonymous tips can be sent to the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.
A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest, according to police.
