A 73-year-old Austin man, Daniel Strong Jr., has been taken into custody related to the investigation of a woman's body found along a Colorado interstate. The victim, identified as 65-year-old Brenda Jackson, also from Austin, was discovered on June 15 near I-25 close to Larkspur, Colorado. According to CBS Austin, Strong faces charges of tampering with a deceased human body.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the Austin Police Department, quickly worked diligently to put together the case. "This arrest is the result of tireless work by our detectives and support teams," Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly said, crediting local citizens who played a pivotal role. "We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community members who came forward." Investigators are earnestly seeking information on Jackson's and Strong's movements before May 24 across Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, particularly regarding sightings or interactions with a dark gray Honda Odyssey van with Texas handicap license plate 1SGSC, as mentioned in the same report.
Details surrounding the cause and manner of Jackson's death have not been publicly released. The death has been described as "suspicious" by a public information officer for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office while relaying to FOX31 that it did "not appear to be natural causes." Bedding found with Jackson's body was shared publicly in the hope of aiding identification efforts.
In their ongoing inquiry, police are earnestly hoping to fill in the gaps by collecting more details. "Even small details can make a big difference in a case like this," Sheriff Weekly emphasized, seeking support from the public to provide further evidence or information. The ask extends to anyone in the Austin area or Colorado who might hold relevant surveillance footage, or may have seen or interacted with either Jackson or Strong. This information can be vital, as conveyed in a release picked up by FOX31.
Authorities urge anyone with pertinent information to contact Detective Lewin via email at [email protected] or by phone at 303-660-7563, or Detective Talmon at [email protected] or by phone at 303-660-7185. The public's help in tracing the victim’s and suspect's prior activities is crucial for progress in the ongoing investigation.
