Kirk Preston Watson - Mayor of Austin, Texas | Twitter
Kirk Preston Watson - Mayor of Austin, Texas | Twitter
On June 21, 2024, at approximately 6:14 a.m., the Austin Police Department responded to a disturbance call in the 6000 block of South 1st Street. Neighbors reported hearing a physical altercation inside an apartment. Shortly after, Irean Demuchest called 9-1-1, claiming her cousin, Samantha Demuchest, had committed suicide.
Upon arrival, officers were met by Irean holding Samantha's baby. Inside the apartment, they found Samantha with an apparent gunshot wound. Before being transported to a hospital, Samantha informed officers that Irean had shot her.
The investigation revealed that Irean attempted to stage the scene as a suicide after shooting her cousin. On the same day, Irean was arrested and charged with First Degree Aggravated Assault Family Violence with Serious Bodily Injury.
Samantha lived as a paraplegic until November 12, 2024, when she succumbed to her injuries. An autopsy determined her death resulted from complications of a gunshot wound to the neck and was ruled a homicide.
On March 6, 2025, Irean was charged with First Degree Murder for Samantha's death and remains in Travis County jail.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS or submit tips anonymously through 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.
This incident is recorded as Austin's 59th homicide of 2024. The previous case listed as such from William Cannon Drive was reclassified as an accidental death following evidence review and has been replaced by this case.
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