Austin Police Department Seeking Public's Assistance With Homicide In The 7100 Block Of IH 35

Press release from the City of Austin:

June 23, 2021

Case: 21-0450860
Date: Sunday, February 14, 2021
Time: 1:42 p.m.
Location: 7100 N. IH 35
Deceased: Juan Diaz-Pastor, Hispanic male, born 02/12/1966

The Austin Police Department (APD) The Austin Police Department Homicide Unit has identified Juan Diaz-Pastor as the victim in the February 14 homicide at the Motel 6 located at 7100 N. IH 35.

At 1:42 p.m., 911 received a call of an unresponsive male found in a room at the Motel 6 located at 7100 block of N. IH 35. APD and Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on scene to find the victim, Juan Diaz-Pastor, deceased with obvious trauma. Homicide investigators and crime scene technicians were called to the scene to investigate.

APD is requesting the community’s assistance with identifying an individual who may have information about this case. The below described individual was captured on surveillance video leaving the hotel room in which Pastor was found deceased.

• Black or Hispanic female (possibly male dressed as female)
• Estimated to be 5’7 – 5’8 in height
• Average build
• Approximately 20 – 30 years of age

On June 17, 2021, the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office advised that the official cause of death was ruled as a strangulation and the manner of death homicide.

Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS, email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, utilize the Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), or the Crime Stoppers app. You may remain anonymous. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.

This is Austin’s 40th homicide of 2021.

This press release was produced by the City of Austin. The views expressed here are the author’s own.