Woman found dead in East Austin parking lot believed to have been murdered

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department says a woman, whose body was found in an East Austin parking lot, is believed to have been murdered.

Police said on Jan. 9, around 1:44 a.m., officers responded to a check welfare urgent call at 5707 Manor Road. 

The caller said they saw a body in the parking lot lying in a pool of blood.

The body was located and life-saving measures were administered but the victim was pronounced dead at 2:11 a.m.

Police did not specify what kind of injury the woman suffered, but there were signs of trauma around the victim's neck. 

The body was later identified as 35-year-old Kelly Meazell.

Police say Meazell was a person who was experiencing homelessness.

This was the city's second homicide of the year.

If you have any information on this case, call the APD Homicide Tip Line at 512-974-8477.

Crime in East Austin

People nearby where the body was found say crime is a big problem in the area.

"These things are happening day in and day out," Chris Hill said. "It needs to stop, it's getting worse."

Crime data shows two other murders in the area in the last five years, along with numerous aggravated assaults, robberies, and thefts.

On August 22, 2020, Dontra Kinsey was shot and killed. Antonio Joiner was later convicted of his murder.

On May 9, 2023, Davante Reece was shot and killed.

In November 2023, police renewed their call for tips in his murder. They said then there was a group of about 10–15 people around, but no arrests were made. It's not clear if the suspect was in that group or an off.