Case:  25-0040285
 
Date:  Saturday, January 4, 2025
 
Time:  3:50 a.m.
 
Location:  1704 Nelms Drive
 
Deceased victim:  Jonathan Salas, Salas, Hispanic male, 1/1/1975
 
Arrested:  Tomas Gonzalez, Hispanic male, 32 years of age.
 

UPDATE:

On Saturday, January 4, 2025, at approximately 3:50 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to reports of a fire at a Persons Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) camp in the green belt area near 1704 Nelms Drive. Officers and Austin Fire Department (AFD) firefighters arrived and located the fire that had consumed a tent. Within that area, they located the body of a clearly deceased male, and he was pronounced deceased on scene at 5:03 a.m. The victim was later identified as Jonathan Salas.

The investigation revealed Tomas Gonzalez, stabbed the victim, Jonathan Salas, and then burned his body in an attempt to destroy evidence. The autopsy later confirmed that Mr. Salas had sustained trauma to his body, and his death was ruled a homicide caused by sharp force injuries. On January 6, 2025, personnel from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Gonzalez.

On February 5, 2025, three warrants were issued for Gonzalez: one for 1st Degree Murder, one for 2nd Degree Felony Tampering with Evidence, and one for 3rd Degree Tampering with Evidence. Gonzalez is currently in jail facing these additional charges. APD detectives are also continuing to investigate a separate murder charge against Gonzalez from Austin's 19th homicide of 2022, which had been dismissed. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Case:  25-0040285
 
Date:  Saturday, January 4, 2025
 
Time:  3:50 a.m.
 
Location:  1704 Nelms Drive

Deceased victim:  Unknown male

On Saturday, January 4, 2025, at approximately 3:50 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to reports of a fire at a Persons Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) camp in the green belt area near 1704 Nelms Drive. Officers and Austin Fire Department (AFD) firefighters arrived and located the fire that had consumed a tent. Within that area, they located the body of a clearly deceased male, and he was pronounced deceased on scene at 5:03 a.m.

Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene and interview witnesses. The victim has not yet been identified but is a White or Hispanic male who was homeless and possibly had the nickname “JT.” The investigation is on-going, but the APD Homicide unit is asking for assistance in identifying the victim and any information on possible suspects of the murder. The autopsy the next day revealed that the victim had trauma to his body. The cause of death was ruled a homicide and the manner of death, sharp force injuries. The fire is believed to have been an attempt to cover up the murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.

This case is being investigated as Austin's 1st homicide of 2025.