Teen Charged In Woman's North Austin Murder

NORTH AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police on Tuesday identified the teenage suspect in the murder of a woman he picked up at a North Austin intersection over the weekend.

In a police advisory on the incident, the Austin Police Department said they received a 911 call on Saturday morning just before 7:45 a.m. related to an injured person on the ground. Upon their arrival, police found Cheryl Murray, a 52-year-old black woman, suffering from obvious trauma throughout her body along the 1300 block of E. 52nd Street. Despite medics' efforts to resuscitate the woman, she was pronounced dead shortly after police arrived at the scene.

The Travis County Medical Examiner later ruled the death a homicide. As police launched their investigation, they learned that a vehicle with a distinctive paint job driven by a man had parked near the intersection of East 52nd and Cameron Road just past 3 a.m. Surveillance camera footage showed Murray approaching the vehicle and speaking to the male driver before getting into the vehicle.

The vehicle then drove east on East 52nd toward a dead end. Approximately 20 minutes later, the vehicle was seen driving with its headlamps off, westbound on East 52nd toward Cameron Rd. The following Monday, Sept. 3, the two detectives assigned to the case canvassed the area and located a vehicle matching the one in the video, in the 9900 block of Quail Blvd.

Once spotted, the car was put under surveillance by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force when a man was seen getting into the vehicle and driving away. A traffic stop was initiated. leading to an interview with the driver who was said to later admit to having committed the murder. The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Edgar J. Vega Rubi.

Police staged a press briefing on Tuesday but provided few additional details about the case. A police spokesman did allow that Vega Rubi told investigators he became embroiled in an argument with Murray before he stabbed her. Police believe the suspect then either dropped the woman off or she fled from her attacker.

Detectives urge anyone with any additional information about this incident to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588, Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS, text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES or use the new Crime Stoppers App or email APD Homicide at homcide.apd@austintexas.gov. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

The incident marked the 24th homicide in Austin so far this year, police noted.

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>>> Edgar J. Vega Rubi booking photo provided by Austin Police Department