Royal Crest Drive is once again under the police spotlight, as Austin officers investigate a homicide in the 1500 block of the south Austin street, the department said Thursday. APD's public information officer was headed to the scene and the department said it expected to hold a media briefing at about 10:30 a.m., with the exact staging location still to be determined. Authorities have not identified the victim and have not released information about any possible suspects while detectives process the scene.
APD statement and briefing
According to an Austin Police Department post on X, officers were on scene working a homicide investigation and "APD PIO is en route to the scene." The post also noted that a media briefing was anticipated at approximately 10:30 a.m., with the briefing location listed as "TBD." For now, APD is keeping specifics out of the public eye while the on-the-ground investigation unfolds.
APD is investigating a homicide in the 1500 block of Royal Crest Drive. APD PIO is en route to the scene. We are anticipating a media briefing at approximately 10:30 am, location TBD.
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) April 23, 2026
Context on Royal Crest Drive
This stretch of Royal Crest Drive has seen deadly violence before. In February 2023, APD investigated the killing of an 81-year-old in the 1600 block that led to an arrest, as reported by FOX 7 Austin. That earlier case is one of several serious crimes in parts of south Austin that have drawn scrutiny from investigators and concern from residents.
How to help
Anyone with information or video related to the case is asked to contact the APD Homicide Unit tip line at 512-974-TIPS (512-974-8477) or Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS (512-472-8477), per the City of Austin. This story will be updated after the department's media briefing and as officials release additional details.
