Dead Body Of Woman In Her 20s Found In University Of Texas Creek Sparks Murder Investigation

In a statement released by President Gregory Fenves, of the University of Texas at Austin’s campus, it was revealed that on Tuesday, a body was found in a creek behind the flagship public university’s alumni center and police are reportedly on scene investigating the discovery as a homicide.

University of Texas Police found themselves at the creek this morning at 10:46 a.m. after responding to reports of a dead body in that location on the campus near the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto Blvd. The UTPD and the campus officials are reluctant to give out too much information on the ongoing investigation, including the identity of the victim. That information is being withheld in accordance with procedure in order to allow the family members of the deceased to be notified.

A message about the tragedy on our campus: https://t.co/0sZRwZp2tj

— Greg Fenves (@gregfenves) April 5, 2016

President Gregory L. Fenves mentioned this fact in his statement, as well as the fact that thus far there has been no suspect identified.

“I have spoken with campus public safety leaders and am writing to assure you that we are doing everything possible to ensure safety on campus. We are also working closely with Austin police to identify possible suspects. We are unable to release the name of the victim or any details until the family has been notified.”

New York Daily News also wrote that no motive for the homicide has been established either. University of Texas Police Department spokeswoman Cindy Posey has also gone on record to advise that whether or not the dead body found was that of a student at the UT campus is unclear. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services did reveal that the dead body was that of a young woman in her 20s.

Despite the fact that a dead body has been found on campus in what Fenves himself has called a “tragedy,” he advised that the university will remain open. There will be no interruption to the normal schedules and operations of the campus. The school did, however, send out a message from its Twitter account advising the students that counselling sessions could be obtained 24 hours a day at (512) 471-2255. The officials also said that everything is being done to ensure that the campus, its students, and staff are safe.

The University of Texas also ensured that from the moment they became aware of the dead body on the campus, their students and staff were all notified. A campus-wide email blast was sent advising of the homicide investigation. In the wake of the homicide, the UTPD crime logs were examined and actually revealed that no homicides have occurred on campus in the past 10 years.

Police officers established and stood guard of a perimeter around the creek, to which all points of access were cordoned off in order to maintain the crime scene. Many of those near the scene initially seemed to be unaware that a crime scene was in their midst, despite the officers and the yellow police tape. However, UT Austin Police later sent out a tweet telling the public to “avoid the area” as well as saying that the officers would be remaining in the area for a number of hours.

A press conference held by UTPD Captain Don Verett after 4 p.m. this evening was covered by the Daily Texan Online, and it was learned that while the investigation is ongoing, the UTPD would increase patrols by both foot and bicycle. Verett also told members of the university community to actively participate in “personal safety” and ensure that they walk in groups and are aware of their surroundings at all times.

The officials did not take any questions from the media.

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