Police ID Suspect In Death, Sexual Assault Of Elderly Resident

AUSTIN, TX -- Law enforcement officials say they have identified a suspect in the death of an elderly man found at his southwest Austin home late last year.

Police were called to the 6300 block of Shadow Bend last November after a neighbor reported finding Chris Albert Whitmarsh, 74, motionless on his bathroom floor. The neighbor said she typically picked Whitemarsh up from his home to take him to evening church services.

Police found the victim covered with strewn papers and clothing. A bathroom window was shattered with blood around the frame, according to a KVUE-TV report.

On Feb. 3, police found a fingerprint match from evidence found at the home. The fingerprints match those of Erik Osmar Cruz, who previously had been the subject of a police report alleging he had accused of trespassing at another home and touching a resident on the leg while that crime victim was asleep.

Blood stains were found throughout Whitemarsh’s home. Police believe he was also sexually assaulted.

Cruz had not been apprehended at last check, the television station reports.