Alleged Killer, '79 Murder Victim Worked Together: Austin Police

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Wednesday detailed a once-cold case dating nearly 40 years they were able to recently solve related to the death of a young woman who had recently moved to Montana with her new husband to begin a new life in Austin.

Debra Sue Reiding, an 18-year-old newlywed, was found strangled to death with signs of having been sexually assaulted in her South Austin apartment on Algarita Avenue on Jan. 22, 1979. For nearly 40 years, the trail of clues had gone cold. Until last week, when Michael Anthony Galvan, 64, was indicted by a grand jury for both murder and capital murder — charges aided by DNA evidence that wouldn't become a standard police technique until seven years before the murder.

The police news conference Wednesday expounding on the case was bittersweet, with law enforcement officials palpably proud of their accomplishment but with the looming memory of a young woman excited about her new future in Austin whose life was cut short. Her cousin, Mark Nunn, thanked police on behalf of Reiding's survivors for bringing the young woman's alleged killer to justice.

"I'm here on behalf of Debbie Reiding's family," before ticking off a list of her living relatives — her mother, brother, two aunts, and many cousins who he said "...still miss Debbie every day and pray for the full justice of her death so she can finally rest in peace."

Debra Sue Reiding

Reiding's mother was unable to attend the news conference due to declining health, Nunn explained. But he shared that for the past 39 years, family members have placed a wreath at her grave — repeating the gesture the day after the May 24 indictment, four days before their traditional Memorial Day custom.

Related story: Police Solve 40-Year-Old South Austin Murder Case

"To say that we are ecstatic with the news of her killer being arrested would be a huge understatement," Nunn said. "However, we will not rest until her killer is convicted and full justice is served. Having said that, we do realize the reality is nothing will give Debbie the full life she deserves."

Still, he thanked police for their work in solving the case: "Thank you so much for allowing Debbie to finally rest in peace," he told police. "God bless."

The lead detective in the investigation, Jeff Gabler, said Reiding and Galvan were co-workers at a now-defunct restaurant called Montana Mining Company once located at the corner of Oltorf Street and Intestate 35. Galvan had worked there since late 1978 before the crime, Gabler said.

The detective said Reiding would sometimes ask co-workers for a ride home after her shift, and Galvan drove her to her apartment on a couple of occasions. Galvan, who also lived in South Austin off Ben White Boulevard, had subsequent brushes with the law after the killing, including a 1981 arrest for peeping into windows and a 1987 charge of assaulting a girlfriend, Gabler said.

No details were provided related to how Galvan emerged as a suspect, including what evidence police were able to utilize in solving the decades-long case. "There's a time and a place for all the facts and evidence of the case to be divulged, and that place will be in the court as we do not want to jeopardize the integrity of the case," Gabler said. "The ultimate goal is to obtain a conviction in a court of law."

Gabler did allow that new evidence has emerged, both new forensic evidence and witness accounts. But police would still like to hear from others who might have information that might be helpful to their case. Those with tips can call detectives at (512) 974-5250 or (512) 974-5720. Those with information withing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-8477.

Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore also was in attendance at the press briefing, making special note of the inter-agency cooperation among the Austin Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Travis County District Attorney's Office in helping solve the crime.

Galvan is in custody at the Travis County Jail with bond set at $750,000, according to jail records.

Debra Sue Reiding

>>> Uppermost images of Michael Anthony Galvan as he looked during the time of the murder and how he looks today; all photos courtesy of Austin Police Department