Austin, TX
Half-naked woman was allegedly tortured and chained in Texas backyard for months by five ‘friends’ who didn’t ‘like her anymore’
A half-naked woman was allegedly tortured and chained up in the backyard of a Texas home for months — leading to the arrest of five people who allegedly starved and shot at the defenseless victim with BB guns.
The Austin Police Department responded to a home on the south side of the city at around 9 a.m. on Oct. 30 after a 911 call was made regarding a woman screaming for help and handcuffed to metal exercise equipment in the backyard, according to a press release.
Officers arrived to find the unnamed woman suffering from severe injuries, naked from the waist down, and shackled to a punching bag stand.
The first responders quickly sprang into action and attempted to free the woman, but “due to the conditions of the restraints,” they had to call in the Austin Fire Department to bring special equipment to cut through the metal.
“The woman showed signs of physical distress and had visible injuries consistent with prolonged restraint,” police said.
As they worked to free the woman, five adults inside the home noticed what was happening and tried to flee, but were immediately caught and detained.
Police also found two small children living at the home who were placed in the care of Child Protective Services for safety and support.
The suspects — Michelle Garcia, 51, Crystal Garcia, 21, Mache Carney, 32, Juan Pablo Castro, 30, and Maynard Lefevers, 21 — had allegedly held the victim captive for months, police said.
The victim told investigators that she’d been friends with Michelle Garcia, but stated that the group “at some point, they decided they no longer liked her,” and the five decided to keep her as a captive, according to an affidavit obtained by the Austin American-Statesman.
She said she was forced to live outside for weeks and beaten whenever she tried to flee. It’s unclear when the victim was taken captive and exactly how many months she was held.
Detectives said the woman was fed just one plate of food a day and shackled to a metal exercise stand — sometimes with both wrists locked behind her.
Michelle Garcia allegedly told investigators she limited the woman to one meal a day because she thought the victim had gotten “chunky.”
However, investigators said the woman appeared severely malnourished.
The victim also said that the night before being found, her pants slipped down and she “got in trouble.” She was then shot with a BB gun, cuffed to a backyard stand and left there half-naked overnight as “punishment” while temperatures plunged into the 40s, the affidavit revealed.
During her captivity, she sustained extensive injuries, including open wounds, severe swelling of the wrists, loss of tissue from her hands and feet, widespread scarring from BB gun pellets, and significant facial trauma.
After being transported to a local hospital, doctors determined her injuries matched weeks of torture and restraint. Scans also found a BB was lodged in her right eye.
Castro allegedly told police he shot the woman with an electric rifle-style BB gun because he “didn’t want to touch her.”
He also allegedly admitted that when he would get home from work, he would grab the BB gun from his closet, and “chase her around the yard,” expressing that he “f–king hates her,” according to the affidavit.
One of the children found at the home — a four-year-old boy identified as Castro’s son — said his dad shot the woman whenever she was “bad,” and that his mom, Carney, usually stood by and watched.
All five suspects were arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, injury to the elderly or disabled, and unlawful restraint. They are all currently locked up at the Travis County Jail on $305,000 bail.
Carney and Michelle Garcia return to court on Nov. 18 and 21, while Crystal Garcia, Castro, and Lefevers are set to appear on Dec. 15.
The case remains under investigation.
AUSTIN, Texas — An investigation is underway after a gunman in Midland killed one person and injured 10 others on Friday. It marks the 23rd mass shooting reported in Texas since the beginning of the year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.
The Gun Violence Archive is an independent research organization which defines a mass shooting as a shooting in which four or more people shot at the same time and location, not including the shooter.
The count in Texas reached a peak in 2023, when Gun Violence Archive data shows Texas had 65 reported mass shootings. By 2025, the count had dropped to 37 mass shooting incidents in the state.
The shooting in West Texas has prompted condolences from Texas state leaders and renewed calls from advocates for more action to address gun violence.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz praised the response from law enforcement. “We are grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders who moved swiftly to protect the community,” he wrote Friday.
Austin-area gubernatorial candidate and State Rep. Gina Hinojosa also credited first responders, saying their efforts “undoubtedly saved lives.”
Nicole Golden, executive director of Texas Gun Sense, an anti-gun violence advocacy group, spoke with CBS Austin on Saturday.
“Our initial reaction is always empathy for the victims and survivors and anyone affected by this horrible, traumatic tragedy.” Golden added, “ We’re, just like everybody else, waiting to hear a bit more information about the exact circumstances, but what we do know is this shouldn’t be normal.”
1 dead, 10 injured during shooting in Midland, shooter is dead
The shooting came as Texas continues to see repeated incidents of mass gun violence. In Austin, a March mass shooting at Buford’s on West Sixth Street left three victims dead and 15 others injured. In April, a shooting in East Austin left six people with injuries. In May, a cross-town shooting spree left four people injured.
Despite the recent local examples, Golden pointed to community-based efforts as one area showing promise.
“What we know is working is the growing ecosystem of community violence intervention programs that are working to stop the cycle of violence in communities that are hardest hit.” But she said more progress is needed, adding, “What we haven’t seen and we want to continue working toward is a similar reduction in gun homicides. There’s just a lot more work we need to do to bring down the numbers of gun deaths overall.”
Aust Public Health officials have also been weighing additional prevention strategies. APH shared a report with the mayor and City Council this week outlining several violence prevention recommendations focused on youth development, mental health and economic opportunity.
Austin, TX
Texas’ Scenic Park Near Austin Is A Hidden Adventure Gem With Colorado River Kayaking And A Zip Line – Islands
Texas is one of the most multifaceted places in the U.S. Just minutes away from buzzing big cities, you’ll find quiet nature escapes that seem as though you’ve entered a completely different state. About a 30-minute drive east of Austin — the vibrant capital city — you’ll find McKinney Roughs Nature Park.
The park’s bluebonnet fields and towering loblolly pines make it one of the most visually distinctive landscapes in Central Texas. The sprawling forest and tranquil waters of the Colorado River offer visitors exploration by horse or kayak. For a different perspective, adventure seekers can see the property from the sky by strapping themselves into a zip line and soaring above the trees.
The surrounding area has plenty to fill your days before retreating to nearby log cabins or the Lost Pines Resort and Spa, featuring an 18-hole golf course. Golfers can squeeze in a round after a day on the water or after trekking part of the 18 miles of trails, which range from easy riverside walks to more challenging canyon routes. With 1,100 acres of ground to cover, guests can hop on a UTV tour or (more uniquely) zip through the sky. McKinney Roughs has the range to fill a full day of excitement outside Austin.
The zip line adventure at McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Typically, nature park visits help to give some grounding energy, but McKinney Roughs has another idea. Zip Lost Pines offers a bird’s-eye view of the Lost Pines forest, with the longest dual zip line in Texas. Six different lines bring you to speeds up to 40 mph, with the longest stretching 1,316 feet.
The company provides guided tours that build from shorter runs to the grand finale: the River Run. Some itineraries include a walk across a suspension bridge 70 feet above the ground with sweeping scenery of the Colorado River winding through the forest below. There are full-day, half-day, and night experiences ranging from $79 to $115, making it accessible for different budgets and schedules.
Guides lead every tour, so first-timers and seasoned zip-liners can feel confident strapping in. After up to three hours zipping above the trees, you’ll have plenty of time to cool off and paddle through the Colorado River. Continue your Texas adventure by trying some of the best barbecue joints locals swear by.
Paddle through the Colorado River
McKinney Roughs Nature Park is bordered by the Colorado River, giving guests the opportunity to kayak or raft through the winding waterway. There are multiple launch and takeout points stretching from the U.S. 183 Bridge all the way down to Matagorda Bay Nature Park. However, the closest launch point in McKinney Roughs is the Utley Bridge Boat Ramp.
The more experienced paddler — or one with endurance and maintained arm strength — can sail as fast as 6 mph. It’s a calming ride in most areas, as a kayaker on Facebook reveals that they usually don’t accelerate over 4 mph. Keep an eye out for white-tailed deer, various bird species, and the towering loblolly pines that give the Lost Pines region its name (even one of the zip line cables was named after the trees).
Guided kayaking trips are available directly through Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, with equipment and a shuttle included — note that it is a two person minimum reservation. Spend a leisurely afternoon drifting peaceful waterfalls and rock formations. The Colorado River’s landscape changes with every bend and is worth the workout. So, next time you plan a trip to Austin (likely for its top-ranked barbecue and legendary brisket) don’t forget about what else the Lone Star State has to offer. Detour to McKinney, where the trails, river, and treetop views are worth the drive. Curious about more ways to see nature? Check out our feature on the nine best Texas state parks according to Redditors.
The City of Austin, Texas, has practically never seen the hype the Ohio State Buckeyes’ trip to DKR Stadium to fulfill the second leg of a home-and-home with the Texas Longhorns. Week 1 last year saw OSU edge out UT 14-7 in a defensive battle at the “Shoe.” On September 12, the rematch will be an early candidate for the game of the year, based on hype alone.
For the hospitality industry, it already is the game of the year. As a DFW-based Fora Travel Pro Advisor recently told me, the Buckeyes are bringing a substantial boost to Austin’s downtown area and on the Forty Acres.
“Hotel prices in Austin typically spike for major weekends, but this September 12 Texas vs. Ohio State showdown is in a league of its own compared to other preseason games. What might normally run $200–$300 per night (or even for other early-season games) can easily jump to $500–$1,200+ downtown or near campus—often with strict 2-night minimum stays. This isn’t just another preseason game; it’s a marquee #1 vs. #2 (or top-5) clash between two powerhouse programs in one of the most anticipated non-conference rematches in recent years, complete with College GameDay in town. The hype around this rematch is driving demand far beyond a typical preseason game. The atmosphere in Austin will be unforgettable, but the massive fan interest from both sides means prices reflect pure excitement,” Fora agent Hayley Mirza of Southlake told me.
Average daily room rates for hotels in Austin are up +115% compared to 2026 average nightly rates. Average bookings are being made +135 days in advance compared to the 2026 average booking lead time in Austin. Both of those stats take into account how expensive travel has become since February due to world events.
This game is a massive, expensive event for those traveling from the Buckeye State and wherever else rabid OSU fans are coming from. It’ll bring big business to local businesses. On the field, it could determine the direction these two programs’ seasons go.
Ohio State could rebound from a Texas loss. Steve Sarkisian will feel the heat if the Buckeyes win in Austin
With a new offensive play-caller in Arthur Smith and many elite departed defensive pieces, the Buckeyes are likely entering this massive non-conference game with some doubts. On the other side, the Longhorns will be coming in as a notable portal spender with one of the projected top picks in the 2027 NFL draft, Austin Manning.
There’s no doubt that the pressure is almost entirely on Texas. While Ohio State’s schedule is a meat grinder, some think the Longhorns have it even worse. If Steve Sarkisian’s squad takes an early loss before SEC play even begins, and especially if his offense doesn’t look up to snuff against a Buckeyes defense that may have lost several generational talents but still has Matt Patricia, we are going to see unprecedented meltdowns from Sark at press conferences all year. Those will undoubtedly be caused by the booster class ripping him to shreds behind the scenes.
Ohioans and Buckeye Nation from all over will be descending on Central Texas in mid-September for a game that could ultimately be far more meaningful for the Longhorns in 2026 than the Scarlet and Gray.
If Texas loses, there’s at least a massive financial boon that will have been brought to Austin for the marquee matchup.
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