Man charged with murder for killing victim, attempting to burn his body: APD
Man arrested for murder in homeless encampment
A man was charged with murder in connection to killing a man and then burning his body last month, police said.
AUSTIN, Texas - A man was charged with murder in connection to killing a man and then burning his body last month, police said.
RELATED: Austin homeless camp fire was attempt to cover up murder
Background
Tomas Gonzalez, 32
The backstory:
Police said on Jan. 4, around 3:50 a.m., officers responded to a fire at the Persons Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) camp in the Greenbelt area near 1704 Nelms Drive.
When officers and firefighters arrived, they found a fire that consumed a tent. Near the fire, they found a body. The victim was later identified as Jonathan Salas.
The investigation showed Tomas Gonzalez, 32, stabbed Salas and then burned his body in an attempt to cover it up.
The autopsy revealed Salas was killed during the stabbing.
On Jan. 6, Gonzalez was arrested.
Fire at homeless camp was attempt to cover up murder
The Austin Police Department needs help identifying a victim killed in the first homicide of the year.
On Feb. 5, Gonzalez was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree tampering with evidence, and third-degree tampering with evidence.
Gonzalez is currently in jail facing those additional charges.
RELATED: Man arrested for murder near Williamson Creek Greenbelt
APD detectives are also continuing to investigate a separate murder charge against Gonzalez from Austin's 19th homicide of 2022, which has been dismissed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.
The Source: Information from the Austin Police Department