Police ID Victim Of Suspicious' Death In North Austin

NORTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police late Wednesday identified the mortally wounded man found at the rear of a North Austin apartment complex earlier in the day.

In an earlier press briefing, an Austin Police Department officer said officials received a "check welfare" call directing them to 9133 Northgate Blvd. on Wednesday morning, where they found a man at the back of the complex with obvious trauma throughout his body.

Police said in a subsequent press advisory that the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 8:02 a.m., some 23 minutes after being found injured. Police didn't specify if the man had been beaten, shot or stabbed.

The victim was identified as Lester Marshall Jr., an African American man who was 57 years old. "Based on information developed, this incident appears to be isolated with no threat to the public," officers said. Such vernacular is often used to convey that a victim an assailant knew each other, and the violence was limited to both parties rather than a random act.

Detectives said they seek to speak to an African American man of around 30 years old and a woman of about 36 years of age who were temporarily staying at the apartment complex, according to the police advisory.

The Travis County Medical Examiner is scheduled to conduct an autopsy tomorrow morning to determine the cause of death, police said. In the meantime, detectives ask anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + information to CRIMES. Those with tips also can use the new Crime Stoppers App or email APD Homicide at homicide.apd@austintexas.gov. Police said tipsters can remain anonymous. Another way to submit tips is by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.

From earlier:

NORTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police are investigating a death deemed "suspicious" on Wednesday, officials said.

The Austin Police Department said the suspicious death occurred at 9133 Northgate Blvd. Police said they were notified to the incident at 7:35 a.m. on Wednesday.

At a subsequent press briefing, police had few details other than to say the call began as a "check welfare" one. The deceased person was found with obvious trauma to the body, and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said, without revealing the age or gender of the individual.

An officer briefing reporters urged anyone with information on the incident to contact the Homicide Tip Line at (512) 477-3588.