Case:                23- 3600175

Date:  Tuesday, December 26, 2023
 
Time:  5:16 a.m.
 
Location:  1708 W Braker Ln
 
Deceased:  Hector Diaz-Esparza, White man, 12/25/95


On Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Austin Police Department Homicide Unit responded to a check welfare call at 1708 W Braker Ln. The caller stated that a man was lying on the ground in the alley, bleeding and not responding.

When officers arrived, they found the victim, later identified as Hector Diaz-Esparza, who had visible injuries. Despite the efforts from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to revive him, Diaz was pronounced deceased at 6:06 a.m.

The Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Specialists were called to investigate the scene. During the investigation, it was determined that the victim had been attacked by unidentified individuals who fled the scene. The victim had clear indications of physical assault and appeared to have been beaten.

On December 27, 2023, the Travis County Medical Examiner's office conducted an autopsy which determined that the cause of death was blunt force trauma and the manner of death was homicide.

Anyone with any information should contact APD's Homicide unit at 512-974-TIPS or email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov. 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 73rd homicide of 2023.