Case:  1994-1320984
 
Date:  Thursday, May 12, 1994
 
Time:  5:15 p.m.
 
Location:  2510 Star Grass Circle

Victim (deceased):  Bert Allen Mann, White male, 1/19/1948

Suspect (deceased):  Kenneth Wayne Robbins, White male, 5/5/1971

    
Kenneth Wayne Robbins, White male, 5/5/1971

 
On the afternoon of Thursday, May 12, 1994, Bert Allen Mann was found with fatal stab wounds in the kitchen floor of his residence, located in the 2500 block of Star Grass Circle. Evidence at the scene suggested the suspect forced entry into the home through a rear sliding glass door and was discovered by Mann when he returned home from work. The suspect and Mann fought near the front door, but Mann was ultimately stabbed to death by the suspect. During the struggle, the suspect was injured and bled inside the home. An exhaustive investigation over the next several years produced over forty persons of interest.
 
In 2005, a blood stain from the scene was tested for DNA. The profile obtained from this stain was determined to be from an unidentified male. The DNA profile was entered into Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), but no match was found. In March of 2023, the unknown profile was sent to Bode Technology for Forensic Genetic Genealogy. In June 2023, Bode Technology identified a possible suspect who was unknown to the investigation. On September 8, 2023, APD detectives executed a DNA search warrant for the suspect’s DNA to compare to the DNA found inside the Mann residence. The suspect, Kenneth Robbins was found deceased inside his work truck on September 13, 2023 in Weatherford, Texas. The DNA from the suspect confirmed that he was the person who left his DNA inside the victim’s residence. Autopsy results concluded that Kenneth Robbins took his own life.
 
Over the last 29 years, over 20 detectives have contributed to the progression and investigation of this case. There were multiple non-sworn employees that also contributed to the conclusion to include crime scene units, latent print examiners and DNA Case Management employees. Bert Allen Mann is survived by his widow and his sister.

Victim (deceased): Bert Allen Mann, White male, 1/19/1948

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the APD Cold Case Unit at (512) 974-5250. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.