Texas Rangers assisting with Del Valle homicides
Travis and Bastrop Counties are working together to solve several Del Valle homicide cases and now the Texas Rangers are also involved. Residents say they are scared for their safety and they are demanding answers.
Authorities have stepped up patrols in Del Valle and with the Texas Rangers involved, they will provide more resources. That still isn't putting residents at ease.
In fact for many residents, it's a nightmare.
"Why is it happening so bad and it's only in this area?" asks Maria Acevedo.
"Little on edge. Not knowing if there is going to be a body dumped in your front yard," say Kenneth Rice.
Many were too scared to speak with FOX 7 on camera.
The Travis County Sheriff's Office says seven bodies have been found in Del Valle within the past two months.
"This is certainly a highly unusual event for Travis County. It is something that is giving us concern," says Kristen Dark, spokesperson, Travis County Sheriff's Office.
An eighth body is being investigated by Bastrop County. At this point both agencies have not ruled out the possibility that things could be related.
Officials understand if residents are worried.
"I think everybody has to be cautious in a sense that you know, we're wanting to keep track of our drug intelligence and to report anything suspicious that they see," says Sheriff Rosanna Abreo, Bastrop County Sheriff's Office.
"It's natural for residents to be ill at ease. This is an unusual event. What I would tell them is, be diligent. Make sure you are locking your doors at night. Pay attention to your surroundings," says Dark.
FOX 7 created a map showing the close proximity of the bodies found.
First there was the quadruple homicide on September 8th. It happened at a home on the 8300 block of Linden Road.
About three weeks later, two decomposed bodies were found in a field in the 16000 block of Pearce Lane.
This past Sunday a body was found in the trunk of a burning car on Buck Lane.
Then early Monday morning an 8th body was found in the roadway near Wolf Lane and FM 535. It was of a female believed to be in her early 20's.
"That is so weird. Why would somebody be walking at that time? You don't see people walking out here like that. It's not Austin. You don't see homeless people walking around and stuff like that," says Acevedo.
On Tuesday detectives with the Travis County Sheriff's Office were seen going into businesses to collect surveillance video. Bastrop County is doing the same. Both are hoping it will lead them to the person or persons responsible.
"My biggest fear is that it's going to get out of hand. It's already out of hand but it's going to get out of hand to where we're going to turn into a city or a place like Houston, or the bigger cities where there's really a lot more violence and danger," says Acevedo.
Many residents are scared to speak out but the sheriff's office reminds you that you can do so anonymously.
Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-8477 (TIPS).