On Monday, the Austin Police Department (APD) found themselves responding to a call at 5701 S MoPac Expressway that Cristian Rangel, reported missing a day prior by his girlfriend, was last seen, according to the family who found a Walmart surveillance video. The footage, dating April 8, caught Rangel getting into a light-colored SUV.
Further along the timeline, April's second week saw the discovery of a body by a passerby on the greenbelt at 5800 Spring Meadow Drive, which on July 25 was confirmed to be Rangel, the APD shared this in a statement. Before undergoing a formal investigation, the deteriorating body's injuries suggested an assault as the cause of death, altering the case's status to a homicide.
In the wake of this tragic event, APD's investigation has pointed to Kamery Wooldridge concerning Rangel's untimely death and the disposing of his remains. Wooldridge is facing charges of tampering with human remains, nevertheless, the APD continues to dig deeper into the circumstances surrounding the case.
As detectives work tirelessly to piece together the last moments of Rangel's life, the Austin Police Department encourages anyone who has information to contribute to the investigation. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS," urged officials, while those preferring to maintain anonymity can still be eligible for a $1,000 reward by contacting the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program. Insights provided may lead to an arrest, a crucial step in providing justice in what is being cataloged as Austin's 39th homicide of 2024.
