North Austin News

On June 21, 2024, at approximately 4:06 p.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a call reporting a deceased person in the 2600 block of Metcalfe Road. The caller indicated they had seen what appeared to be a deceased individual at this location. Upon arrival, officers found an obviously deceased female in an abandoned house. The victim was later identified as Alyssa Ann Rivera, a Hispanic female born on December 1, 1989. She was pronounced dead shortly after being discovered.

Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists processed the scene and interviewed witnesses. Investigators believe Ms. Rivera was murdered at this location by an unknown suspect.

In a subsequent update on July 3, 2024, APD Homicide Unit detectives released new images of a person of interest in connection to Alyssa Ann Rivera's murder.

On August 7, 2024, it was revealed that DNA evidence linked Ms. Rivera's case to the unsolved April 14, 2018 murder of Alba Jenisse Aviles in Bastrop County, Texas. Ms. Aviles' murder is being investigated by the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office. She was last seen leaving Club Caribe on Felter Lane in Austin on the night she was murdered. This location is just over three miles from where Ms. Rivera was found dead. Both murders appear to be sexual in nature.

There has been no suspect identified in either case; however, DNA evidence indicates that the same individual is responsible for both crimes.

APD homicide detectives continue to seek leads regarding the person of interest shown in surveillance video who may have information about Ms. Rivera's murder.

Anyone with information is urged 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 any information leading to an arrest.

This case marks Austin's 27th homicide of 2024.