Austin, TX
No foul play suspected in recent Lady Bird Lake deaths, police say
No foul play suspected in current Girl Chook Lake deaths, police say
Austin police are nonetheless trying into precisely how Jonathan Honey died. He’s the second individual whose physique was discovered, underneath related circumstances, up to now two months, and one among a number of instances like this lately.
AUSTIN, Texas – Austin police proceed to research precisely how Jonathan Honey died, after his physique was present in Girl Chook Lake close to Rainey Road on Saturday, April 1.
Honey is the second individual whose physique was discovered underneath related circumstances up to now two months, and one among a number of instances like this lately. However late Monday, Austin police launched an announcement, stressing detectives don’t suspect foul play in any of those instances.
“I used to be like ‘oh my god. We had been simply actually there,’” stated Christina Plaza, who’s visiting Austin from Boston.
Individuals who hang around on Rainey Road had been shocked to listen to in regards to the discovery Saturday afternoon of the physique of Jonathan Honey, after the 33-year-old was final seen at a taco truck on Rainey Road round 2 a.m. Friday, March 31. Austin police are nonetheless investigating how he died.
“I am pondering perhaps someone who drank an excessive amount of and fell. But when it is someone actually doing hurt, it is regarding,” stated Marisa de la Paz, who can also be visiting Austin.
FOX 7 Austin reached out to a consultant for Honey’s household. We had been instructed they’re unable to remark due to the continuing investigation.
Household of Jason John speaks out after one other physique present in Girl Chook Lake
Jason John’s physique was present in Girl Chook Lake close to Rainey Road in February; now his household is talking out after one other physique was discovered within the lake on Saturday.
Lately, not less than 5 males of their 20s or 30s have been discovered within the lake underneath related circumstances:
- 2015: Julio Santos, 22
- 2018: Martin Gutierrez, 25
- 2019: Christian Pugh, 21 (discovered alive)
- February 2023: Jason John, 30
- April 2023: Jonathan Honey, 33
The household of Jason John, whose physique was discovered within the lake in February, believes these incidents could possibly be related, despite the fact that the post-mortem report states Jason John’s loss of life was an unintentional drowning.
“We positively do not agree with that,” stated Jason John’s mom Elsie John. “Jason was 30. Jonathan Honey was 33. 2 within the morning. Rainey Road. So there have been some similarities within the case.”
“It is vitally, very regarding,” stated SafeHorns president Joell McNew.
McNew says she’s anxious about College of Texas college students who exit on Rainey Road.
“I do know that there have been some feedback on social media that it is simply alcohol associated,” stated McNew. “And I consider it’s positively greater than that.”
Austin-based prison protection lawyer Sam Bassett says whereas Austin police says they’ve not discovered proof of a criminal offense to this point, detectives are probably trying into these incidents collectively.
“Properly, I feel the very first thing you begin with is the reason for loss of life. Was it unintentional or does it seem like one thing that was achieved deliberately? After which secondly, is there any commonality if these are acts that seem like intentional, is there any related technique or her motive that could possibly be at play right here?” stated Bassett.
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Lacking Austin man Jason John’s physique present in Girl Chook Lake, police say
A physique discovered Monday evening in Girl Chook Lake was lacking Austin man Jason John.
For the households of those that’ve died, they are saying they need solutions, and alter, from the town.
“Town must do one thing. Ignoring isn’t an choice anymore. It by no means was,” stated Mitchell Gutierrez, Martin Gutierrez’s brother.
“We do not know what number of Jasons, what number of Martins, and what number of Jonathans are going to be dropping their lives once more. And this isn’t acceptable,” stated Elsie John.
Since Jason John’s loss of life, a handful of momentary lights had been put in, and fences had been put up, together with indicators warning of the dangers of drowning. Nevertheless, the fencing is low and there are giant gaps between stretches of fence.
The Path Conservancy is engaged on a bigger, extra everlasting resolution to extend lighting and beef up security measures within the space, however the venture isn’t anticipated to be accomplished till the tip of 2023.
In an announcement late Monday, Austin police stated:
“The Austin Police Division is conscious of speculations concerning the current drownings in Girl Chook Lake. Though these instances are nonetheless underneath investigation and proof is being analyzed, at the moment, there isn’t a proof in any of those instances to assist allegations of foul play. Whereas every incident has occurred on the lake, the circumstances, precise places, and demographics surrounding these instances fluctuate. Our investigators method each case with an open thoughts and objectively look at all out there proof.
We work intently with the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Workplace, which conducts a parallel investigation into all deaths. The Medical Examiner performs autopsies in every of a lot of these loss of life investigations. The outcomes of those autopsies haven’t revealed any trauma to the our bodies nor indication of foul play.
One widespread theme of the drownings in Austin this 12 months is the mixture of alcohol and easy accessibility to Girl Chook Lake, which has quite a few entry factors. Lots of the entry factors might be difficult to see at evening. The parks during which most of those drownings have occurred are park areas that shut at 10:00 pm and happen after the park closes. We advise the general public to comply with the foundations on park closures.”