APD: Friend finds 2 bodies in apartment

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police are investigating the deaths of two people inside a West Campus apartment home. A friend of one of the victims called 911 just after 5:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, after discovering the bodies of a man and woman inside the apartment.

Police said both people suffered physical trauma to their bodies, but an APD spokesperson would not elaborate on a cause of death.

"Based on the facts that we have right now, we are looking at this as a murder," said Sgt. Richard Stresing. "This is suspicious. Both individuals do have trauma to their body, so we are investigating this as suspicious."

Outside the apartment at 904 W. 21st Street, a friend of the female victim wept. Neighbors were concerned for their own safety.

"Its pretty crazy, pretty crazy," said Trey Guidry. "I hope they find out what's going on. I would like to know if we need to watch out."

Karl Hendler owns the apartment home where the bodies were discovered. He tells Austin News the woman who lived there was a 22-year-old recent University of Texas graduate, who was preparing to return home to Houston in the coming days. Hendler says the woman's father called him from Houston Tuesday evening.

"She was a really, really nice girl," said Hendler.

Tuesday evening, APD homicide detectives gathered evidence and searched nearby trashcans as anxious neighbors looked on.

"I hope its not a murder and the guys just still running around, you know," said Guidry.

Austin police will not say if they are looking for a suspect.

"To be honest with you, I don't know if there is a killer on the loose," said Sgt. Stresing. "We just don't know at this time. "I would say to the public, just like we do on any day whether we've had a murder or not - to always be on your guard- be on your lookout- always lock your doors."