A month after Francesca Ortiz was found dead outside a southeast Austin apartment complex, her family is offering $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

AUSTIN, Texas — One month after an Austin mother was found dead outside an apartment complex, her family is offering a reward in hopes someone will come forward with information that leads to her killer.

Austin police continue investigating the June 17 homicide of 40-year-old Francesca Ortiz, who was found dead outside the Waters at Bluff Springs apartment complex in southeast Austin. No arrests have been made, and investigators have not identified a suspect.



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“My mother was murdered, and we have a lot of unanswered questions. No clues, no leads, nothing,” said Cenica Machuca, Ortiz’s daughter.

According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to multiple 911 calls at the apartment complex on June 17. When they arrived, they found Ortiz suffering from apparent traumatic injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance video captured Ortiz in the area shortly before her death. Investigators have not publicly said why she was at the apartment complex or what led to the killing.

Machuca said the uncertainty has made the past month especially difficult for her family.

“Anybody who does these type of things, they need to be locked up and put away,” she said.


Family remembers ‘Frenchie’

Machuca described her mother as someone with a vibrant personality who loved creating memories with her family.

“She was fun; she was crazy,” Machuca said. “When Snapchat filters dropped, she went crazy. She thought they were the cutest things ever. She loved taking pictures of herself, but not only of herself, with her family. She always said, ‘I just want memories. We’ve got to make memories.'”

Ortiz was laid to rest earlier this week. Since her funeral, Machuca has continued wearing a ribbon reading #JusticeForFrenchie, a reference to her mother’s nickname.

Now the family is offering a $1,000 reward for information submitted through Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest.

“This is our last hope … catching the murderer off of tips,” Machuca said. “Other than that, we’re relying on the detectives.”


Investigation remains active

A month after Ortiz’s death, many questions remain unanswered, including why she was at the Waters at Bluff Springs apartment complex before she was killed.

Austin police told KVUE that detectives are actively investigating the case but cannot release any new information at this time.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and information leading to an arrest may qualify for the family’s $1,000 reward.