The tragic thread of a young life cut short by the opioid crisis once again surfaces from the streets of Austin. The Austin Police Department has confirmed the death of Sienna Contreras, a 17-year-old girl who fell victim to a fentanyl overdose in April. As per the report released by APD and obtained by KXAN, Sienna was found unresponsive in her bed on the morning of April 13th, at her home on Knollpark Circle, after her father tragically tried to wake her.
An 18-year-old, Xavier Buentello, is currently standing accused in the wake of this incident. He has been charged with first-degree murder, following a new Texas law that allows for harsher charges in fentanyl-related crimes—a law aiming to squarely combat the rising tide of opioid overdose deaths. Buentello, as mentioned in the release and as The Austin American Statesman reports, had been already detained in the Travis County Jail on separate charges when the murder charge was filed.
Police responded to the 911 call from Sienna's father at approximately 10:55 a.m. on that grim morning. She was declared dead at 11:38 a.m., setting in motion an investigation that concluded with the allegation that Buentello sold fentanyl to Contreras, her consumption of which led to her death.
What adds to the anguish of this is that no attorney appears to have been set to represent Buentello at the time of reporting. This legal vacuum, as KXAN notes, may soon change; they promise to update the story subsequently upon reaching out for a comment. Meanwhile, Austin Police urge anyone with relevant information to step forward and contact them at 512-974-TIPS or to provide information anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program at 512-472-8477.
