Austin, TX
Brother of 1980 cold case victim speaks out after police identify suspect
Brother of cold case victim speaks out
Charles Wolfe, brother of 25-year-old murder victim Susan Wolfe, spoke to FOX 7 Austin after finding out that law enforcement have finally identified his sister’s alleged killer after more than 40 years. FOX 7 Austin’s Angela Shen spoke with Wolfe in this “Missing in Texas”.
AUSTIN, Texas – The brother of a woman murdered in 1980 is speaking out after law enforcement say they have identified her alleged killer.
Austin police say they have identified a murder suspect in a cold case from 1980.
On January 9, 1980, 25-year-old Susan Wolfe enrolled at the UT Austin School of Nursing. Her brother, Charles Wolfe, describes her as a great spirit.
“She was working at the state hospital at the time and really cared about people. That was kind of a crossover for her, to get her foot in the door at University of Texas,” he said.
Suspect identified in 1980 homicide in Austin
The Austin Police Department has identified a suspect in connection to the 1980 murder of 25-year-old Susan Leigh Wolfe.
Austin Police say that on that same day, around 10 p.m., she was kidnapped about a block from her home while walking to her friend’s house.
A witness saw a car, described as a 1970 Dodge Polara, stopping and the driver grabbing her in a bear hug, putting a coat over her head, and forcing her into the car. The witness said the passenger door also opened, but didn’t see what they did.
Susan’s body was found the next morning in an alley on East 17th Street near Poquito Street. Police say she had been strangled, sexually assaulted, and shot in the head.
Charles was a junior in high school at the time.
“I was in disbelief, denial, thinking that must be some kind of mistake. Things like that just don’t happen,” he said.
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The trial of a San Antonio man charged with the 2019 murder of his wife is scheduled for next week, but the victim’s remains have not been found.
APD had over 40 people of interest, interviewed at least six suspects, some as far away as New York State.
“It was really tough on our family. It was like an open wound that would fester,” Charles said. “After, I’d say a decade, our family had given up.”
Last year, police sent DNA for testing. They got the results in February, which eliminated the six known suspects. The results were then entered into CODIS, a DNA database of offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons.
In March, a possible match was found in Massachusetts: 78-year-old Deck Brewer, Jr. He’s incarcerated there on unrelated charges.
He told APD detectives he had been in Austin and San Antonio around the time of Susan’s death. He has been charged with her murder.
“I was shocked, I was dumbfounded. I was just ecstatic. It was, I tell you, one of the best days of my life,” Charles said. “It’s tempered with a little cautious optimism because we want to make sure that it’s justice delayed, but not denied. I want to make sure that we bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice ultimately.”
Susan was the big sister to two younger brothers. Their parents passed away without ever knowing who was responsible for Susan’s death.
“She’s still alive in the hearts and minds of anyone who ever knew her that was touched by her,” Charles said.
The case isn’t closed yet. Detectives still want to know who the passenger in the car was.
If you have any information, call the APD Cold Case Unit at 512-974-5250.
“We want to heighten the visibility of this case to let people out there know there’s still someone out there. There’s someone that probably knows this individual or has seen this car, knows the history of this case. I like to encourage them to come forward, to cooperate, to help bring these people to justice. Someone knows something,” Charles said.
Austin, TX
Bike MS Texas MS 150 returns April 25–26 with routes up to 96 miles and Leap Ahead option
Austin, TX — Bike MS: ACC Texas MS 150 is rolling back into Central Texas April 25–26 and it’s bigger, better, and bolder than ever. Sponsored by American Communications Construction, this legendary two-day ride is the largest fundraising event in the Bike MS series and brings riders from across Texas together to fund research and support for people living with MS.
Riders of all levels can find a distance to match their goals. Route distances this year include day-one options of 96, 75, 50 and 38 miles and day-two options of 55 and 82 miles. Plus the fan-favorite “Leap Ahead Route” on Day Two that lets riders skip forward and roll into the finish at Texas A&M’s campus amid cheering crowds.
New for 2026 is a scenic 38-mile option launching from Bastrop and winding through Buescher State Park and the Lost Pines, a tree-lined, single-day alternative for riders who want the full Bike MS experience without the two-day format.
The ride funds the National MS Society’s work. Bike MS has helped raise more than $1.4 billion for research, care and advocacy, funding treatments, navigator programs and partnerships that connect people affected by MS to resources. Your miles and dollars make a direct impact.
One of the largest and most visible teams on the ride is Team Tacodeli, founded in 2004 and proudly sponsored by Austin’s Tacodeli. What began as a dozen riders and roughly $10,000 raised has grown into one of the MS 150’s most successful volunteer-led fundraisers. Team Tacodeli consistently ranks among the state’s top fundraisers and has raised millions for the cause. For team details and how to join or volunteer, visit TeamTacodeli.org.
Team Tacodeli also hosts an annual fundraiser (admission $30; kids 12 & under free) featuring a Tacodeli buffet, New Belgium beer and non-alcoholic drinks (while supplies last), a full cash bar, live music, silent auction, kids’ activities and more , with 100% of proceeds benefiting the National MS Society. Riders for the ACC Texas MS 150 are asked to meet a fundraising minimum (Team Tacodeli minimum: $400).
Want to ride, volunteer or support? Register for the ACC Texas MS 150 or learn more about the event and how funds are used at the National MS Society’s website.
Learn more about Team Tacodeli: https://teamtacodeli.org/
Austin, TX
Texas’ Gorgeous State Park Northwest Of Austin Is A Rustic Haven With Caves And A Stunning Waterfall – Islands
The landscapes around Austin are a natural wonderland for outdoor adventures, from diving into pristine swimming holes to kayaking on the beautiful lakes of the Texas Hill Country. But one destination northwest of the city is a particularly gorgeous escape. Colorado Bend State Park, about two hours away by car, is home to ethereal caves and a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall.
The 5,300-acre park has 35 miles of hiking trails, including one that leads to the park’s most famous feature, Gorman Falls. The rugged 3-mile round-trip hike is considered moderately challenging to difficult, with steep, rocky sections, slippery areas, and little shade from the sun. The trek is worth it for the chance to view the cascades, towering high above the river and fed by a mineral-rich spring. “The falls were beautiful, natural, and peaceful!” said one hiker on AllTrails. If you’re interested in other nearby adventures, be sure to check out all the breathtaking waterfall destinations tourists can find in Austin.
Sometimes the water at Gorman Falls is rushing, and other times the waterfalls are quieter, according to traveler reviews. “This is a beautiful trickling fall that is right out of a storybook about fairies,” said one review on Google. Many agreed that the hike itself isn’t easy. “Very rocky and challenging but worth the effort,” commented another. Several people mentioned that the trail may not be appropriate for beginners, kids, or dogs, that it gets very busy on weekends, and that it’s important to bring more water than you think you’ll need.
Plan an escape to Colorado Bend State Park
Another of the park’s key attractions is its system of underground caves, which visitors can explore on a guided tour with Nichols Outdoor Adventures. The intermediate-level Adventure Tour ($25 per person), billed as “an introduction to what Texas caving is all about,” is a 1.5-hour excursion that takes participants deep underground to crawl through cavernous passageways. “It was a fabulous experience,” said one recent guest on TripAdvisor. “[The guide] did a great job of explaining the topography, how the caves were formed, and answering any and all questions throughout the tour.” The activity is only for travelers ages 8 and up, and though long pants, headlamps, and closed-toe shoes are required, helmets and knee pads are provided. You can book your tour online.
Whether you’re touring the caves or hiking to waterfalls, you’ll need to pay a day-use fee ($5 per person) to access Colorado Bend State Park. It’s smart to reserve your pass online, since the park has a limited capacity and often fills up. If you’re hoping to camp in the park, you’ll want to make arrangements even further in advance. Simple campsites (without hookups) start at $10 per night, while larger group sites start at around $35.
Colorado Bend State Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. It’s less than a two-hour drive from Austin’s international airport. If you love Colorado Bend, consider a detour to the secluded Inks Lake State Park, an idyllic getaway with shady trails and peaceful waters.
Austin, TX
Sunday storms expected in Austin. Here’s how long rough weather could last.
While we saw severe weather across parts of the state on Saturday, the bulk of the action happened in North Texas but don’t let your guard down yet. That system will influence our weather in Central Texas throughout much of next week, bringing daily chances for rain and thunderstorms.
Saturday’s cold front has stalled across South Texas, and the next weather feature to watch is a closed system of low atmospheric pressure lingering near the Baja California coast. That system will send several atmospheric disturbances into Texas that will keep rain chances high across the region.
Overcast skies, spotty showers, light north winds, and cooler temperatures will welcome us Sunday morning. Temperatures will be in the middle and upper 50s through mid-morning and then climb about 10 to 15 degrees by the afternoon. Afternoon temperatures will remain closer to climatological normals for early March, in the upper 60s and low 70s.
While we do expect to see some thunderstorms across the region at times on Sunday, severe weather is not on the menu. Rain chances are about 50% with rainfall totals between a half-inch to an inch.
The comfortable temperatures and north winds will not hang around long once low pressure develops to our north and opens the door to winds from a more southerly direction by Monday. We’ll have a small rain chance, about 30% to 40%, on Monday with a few afternoon thunderstorms possible. Temperatures will be warm, though, with the morning near 60s degrees and the afternoon reaching the low 80s.
Rain chances look to ramp up again from Tuesday through Thursday with the potential for some strong and severe thunderstorms.
“For now, it looks like late Tuesday into Wednesday will be favored as a closed low (pressure system) moves across West Texas into Central Texas,” the National Weather Service wrote in a forecast bulletin. “We will likely see some changes in the path of this upper low, but the current latitude looks favorable for a line of convection (storm activity) along a Pacific cold front to accompany the passage of this system.”
“The latest guidance shows a 60 to 90% chance of at least 1 inch of rain for most of our area with a 40 to 60% chance of at least 2 inches for areas north of I-10,” the weather service said. “There is a potential for multiple inches across some areas.”
Once this storm heads east by Thursday afternoon, cooler and drier weather will filter in with temperatures closer to our March normals of 50 degrees and 71 degrees.
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