Murder Charge Filed In Case Of Missing Austin Woman

AUSTIN, TX — A man was arrested after admitting to police he was responsible for the death of his girlfriend who had been the subject of a missing persons alert issued by police in 2019, officials said on Wednesday.

The case dates to Aug. 13, 2019, when the daughter of Robin Lynette Hatcher, 53, reported her as missing to police, according to a news release. The daughter and other family members told police Hatcher had been dating Paul Ray Adams, 37, at the time of her disappearance, according to police. The family members' concern was heightened given Adams' past domestic abuse history, police said.

By the time family members contacted police, law enforcement officials noted, they had not spoken to Hatcher in several weeks. Moreover, the missing woman's employer told police she had not shown up for work after Aug. 12, 2019, police said. By September, police said they publicized Hatcher as a missing person, connecting Adams as the last person to have been seen with her.

When police interviewed Adams, according to the news release, he acknowledged having seen Hatcher on or around Aug. 9, 2019, but said an argument had ended their relationship. He told police he stayed at Hatcher's home that night before discovering her missing, according to police.

Police said they searched Hatcher's apartment at 8912 N. Lamar Blvd., but didn't find evidence of foul play. Police did find personal items normally used frequently were left behind, and her bank accounts were not utilized — suggesting her disappearance was not intentional, police said in the news release.

It was only after police say Adams told officers he was responsible for causing Hatcher's death and disposed of her body at the scene of a separate 911 call last Tuesday on April 2 that they began to put the pieces of the case together. Police conducted follow-up interviews with Adams that ultimately led to his arrest with charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence filed against him, according to police.

In their advisory detailing the case, police did not specify if Hatcher's body has been recovered.

Police ask anyone with information to contact them at (512) 974-5250. Those with information also can use the new Crime Stoppers App or email APD Cold Case Homicide/Missing Persons at Coldcase@austintexas.gov. Those submitting information have the option of remaining anonymous, police noted. Another way of submitting information to police is via their mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.