AUSTIN, Texas – Austin police revealed that they are investigating if the body of a woman found in a field on New Year’s Eve is linked to a nearby sexual assault.
- DNA evidence being tested
- Austin woman found dead on New Year's Eve
- Death ruled a homicide
The body of Nicole Diane Coleman, 23, was discovered by a bicyclist in an East Austin field located on the 7000 block of Ed Bluestein Boulevard. Police said she was nude, and her body showed obvious signs of trauma.
Investigators are also looking into if the death is related to an aggravated sexual assault in a park located in the same area two weeks prior. In a press conference on Friday, January 4, police said that they recovered DNA evidence from a rape kit, which will be sent off for testing.
The Travis County Medical Examiner ruled Coleman’s death a homicide.
Police noted that anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-974-5210. Officers concluded the conference saying that even if a person is undocumented, he or she will not be jailed for giving information.