Police make arrest in suspicious death

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) - A Round Rock man is charged with evidence tampering in connection with the death of Jessika Kalaher, 27, who was found dead in her car outside a Cedar Park shopping center in early September.

On Friday, Cedar Park police arrested Crispin Harmel, 29, on a warrant for tampering with physical evidence, a third-degree felony. According to police paperwork, he admitted to throwing away Kalaher’s debit card. He was sought as a "person of interest" in the case, but has not been charged in her death.

Still, The arrest provided little relief for Kalaher’s family and friends.

“We had all these plans for us in the future getting married and having kids and we were going to share that and we're never going to be able to do that with her,” said Ana Serrano, friend. “So it’s very hard."

Yet some of Kalaher’s many friends met with KXAN Austin News Wednesday, looking through photos and describing the friend they lost.

“She was bubbly, a goody two shoes and always positive” said Rhonda Garza, a friend.

Kalaher’s close friends are speaking up for her after the district attorney's office told Kalaher's family not to talk to the media. Crispin Harmel's father also declined our requests for an interview today but said he stands by his son.

Harmel is the man police were looking for from this Wal Mart surveillance video taken not far from where the young substitute teacher and H-E-B employees' body was found.

According to police paperwork Harmel admitted he had thrown away a debit card belonging to Jessika Kalaher and a receipt from where the debit card was used. He also stated the clothing he was seen wearing at the Wal Mart had been left at a friend's house; something police say the friend said was a lie.

Harmel also reportedly told police once he learned they were looking for him he altered the appearance of his truck and spray painted the tire rims to make it less likely to identify.

The arrest gives Kalaher's family and friends hope but not peace of mind.

"As long as they keep searching and find answers,” said Garza. “I really hope the truth comes out and maybe we can all get some closure.”

The Williamson County district attorney said although it has been nearly three months it is still early in the investigation and that they still have not even received the medical examiners report yet.

Harmel is being held at Williamson County Jail on $100,000 bond. If convicted, he could face between two and 10 years in prison.