2 dead in apparent murder-suicide at East Austin home: APD

APD investigating East Austin murder-suicide

The Austin Police Department is investigating after two bodies were found in East Austin. The investigation later revealed one had shot and killed the other before shooting himself.

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department is investigating after two bodies were found in East Austin. 

The investigation has since revealed the two died in a murder-suicide, police say.

What we know:

Austin police said on July 29, around 4:12 p.m., a 911 caller said they saw two bodies inside a home in the 1900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, between Chicon Street and Poquito Street.

The 911 caller was a delivery driver who said they saw a man on the ground who was bleeding.

"When they got up to the residence a door was open and there appeared to be two deceased persons inside the residence," said Officer Aaron Townsend with the Austin Police Department. 

When officers arrived, they found a man, later identified as 50-year-old Jon Nickowski, with trauma to his body and a firearm next to him. Officers also found a woman inside the home, later identified as 42-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, who appeared to have been shot multiple times, APD says.

The two were pronounced dead at the scene just before 4:30 p.m.

The investigation revealed that Nickowski had shot and killed Sullivan before shooting himself and that the two had been dating for several years, says APD.

FULL: APD on East Austin homicide investigation

The Austin Police Department is speaking on a homicide investigation in East Austin.

This case is being investigated as Austin's 35th homicide of the year and anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS.

Neighbors react

"I saw a bunch of emergency vehicles, fire trucks, EMS, police just show up and there was no loud sounds right before that so I wasn't sure what was going on," said neighbor Alec Brownridge. 

"I think it puts in perspective a lot of things. I think about like my bedroom is literally like 50 feet from their house. So, it just puts perspective. It doesn't, for me, it doesn't make me feel unsafe. It makes me think more about life and the preciousness of it," said Brownridge. 

Texas Advocacy Project speaks out

Why you should care:

Domestic violence advocates say tragedies like this are far too common.

"Quite frankly, an abuser that has a gun in the home is 500 times more likely to kill their partner. Those are serious numbers and serious statistics, and so we need to pay attention to this. We also need to be good bystanders and upstanders," said Heather Bellino, CEO of the Texas Advocacy Project. 

The Texas Advocacy Project offers free legal help to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault and human trafficking.

The group works to educate the public and help survivors build safety plans before it’s too late.

"Nobody thinks that they should move in with their abuser. They move in the person that they think they're going to spend the rest of their life with. And unfortunately, these people can be very manipulative," said Bellino. 

Bellino says if you’re in a relationship that feels unsafe, trust your instincts and reach out to a professional.

Advocates can help you create a safety plan or guide you through the process of getting the proper resources. 

She also recommends setting up a safe word with a friend or loved one and leaving the situation when it’s safest to do so. And if you know someone in need of help.

"They can say, you know, I hear you and I believe you, and I am actually very scared for you. But when you needed help, I have resources available to you, whether that's your local shelter or it's Texas Advocacy Project," Bellino said. 

The Texas advocacy has numerous resources available to help. You can find them here: 800-374-HOPE or click here.