Body Found In North Austin Motel Identified; Police Seek Suspects

AUSTIN, TX — Austin police are seeking the identity of two people who may have information about a body that was found at a North Central Austin Motel on Valentine's Day.

Police said Wednesday they are interested in speaking with a man and another person who were staying in a room where the body of a man was found in a Motel 6 in the 7100 block of North Interstate 35 on Feb. 14.

Authorities said officers received a call at 1:42 p.m. from Motel 6 staff about a man that appeared to be dead in a room.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services attempted to provide medical care for the man. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Officials identified the man Wednesday as 54-year-old Juan G. Diaz-Pastor.

The department said it is investigating the incident as a suspicious death until and unless it can be ruled otherwise through autopsy results and other pertinent evidence and information.

In an effort to better understand the circumstances, authorities are interested in speaking with the two individuals who were in the room.

The man is described to be about 30-35 years-old, 5'10 and 6' tall, stocky build with braids or dreadlocks. Officials said he was last seen wearing a black zip-up hoodie, blue pants, black beanie, black and grey shoes with red laces.

The other person is about 25-30 years-old, average build and was last seen wearing a light-color jacket, blue pants and pink gloves, police said.

Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to call the department's Homicide Unit at 512-974-TIPS, email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, or utilize the Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), or the Crime Stoppers app.

Individuals may remain anonymous. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.