Austin murder suspect added to FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list

Law enforcement officials announced today that an Austin murder suspect has been added to the FBI's list of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. 

Robert Van Wisse is being sought for his alleged involvement in the 1983 attack and murder of Laurie Stout. Officials say he should be considered armed and dangerous.

APD responded to a call just before 8:30 a.m. on September 20, 1983 to a deceased person call and found the body of Stout in an office building. Stout's death was later ruled a homicide by the medical examiner.

Stout had been working a late night shift cleaning the building when she was murdered. Stout was 22 at the time of her death. She was a daughter, sister, wife and mother to a 19-month-old baby daughter.

Van Wisse, who was a student enrolled at UT-Austin at the time, was in the building registering for a course on the night of the murder. Investigators determined Van Wisse was one of the last persons seen in the building before the murder. Officials believe Van Wisse left the Austin area when he learned he might be a suspect.

A an arrest warrant was issued for Van Wisse in October 1996 after he was charged with murder. Another warrant was issued a year later.

Van Wisse is now 51 and officials say his family owns multiple properties in Mexico and in Guatemala so "he could be anywhere."

If you have information regarding Van Wisse, contact your local FBI office or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip on our website.