Kirk Preston Watson - Mayor of Austin, Texas | Facebook
Kirk Preston Watson - Mayor of Austin, Texas | Facebook
On Monday, April 9, 2024, at approximately 10:55 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a call for service at 5701 S MoPac Expressway. The caller stated that her boyfriend, Cristian Rangel, had been missing since April 8, 2024. On April 13, 2024, Mr. Rangel’s family went to the Walmart at 5017 W US Highway 290 and found a surveillance video that showed him on April 8 in a light-colored SUV.
On April 19, 2024, at approximately 7:06 p.m., APD officers responded to a deceased person call at the Greenbelt near the 5800 block of Spring Meadow Road. Officers and the Austin Fire Department (AFD) located a decomposing body later identified as Cristian Rangel.
Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists processed the scene and interviewed witnesses. After examining the remains thoroughly, homicide detectives learned on July 25, 2024, that Mr. Rangel's injuries were consistent with an assault occurring at the time of his death.
The case has been treated as a homicide investigation since April and has now been officially classified as such based on recent findings.
The investigation revealed that Kamery Wooldridge was involved in Mr. Rangel's death and in disposing of his body. Wooldridge has been charged with tampering with human remains. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS or submit tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to an arrest.
This case is being investigated as Austin's 39th homicide of 2024.
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