AUSTIN, Texas — Police in Austin and Bastrop are investigating two homicides they say are connected to the same man. Investigators believe he fatally shot two women he had been romantically involved with before killing himself.
Austin police said 27-year-old Desiree Gauna was found dead Tuesday morning at a home in the 700 block of West William Cannon Drive after officers went to check on her. A family member had told police they could not reach her.
Officers arrived around 8:26 a.m. and found Gauna dead. She had apparent gunshot wounds, police said. She was pronounced dead at 8:49 a.m.
Homicide detectives determined Gauna had been living with 22-year-old Manuel Salgado Vasquez of Cedar Creek, and that she had stopped communicating with others on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 13.
Salgado did not show up for work that day, and his whereabouts remained unknown until Wednesday, when his vehicle was found at a wrecker yard in Bastrop, according to police.
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As Austin detectives investigated Gauna’s death, they learned of a shooting in Bastrop involving Salgado on Sunday.
Bastrop police said Salgado met his former girlfriend, 20-year-old Mariana Montoya Palacios, at Fisherman’s Park. The two had previously dated. While at the park, Salgado shot Palacios at close range, killing her, then shot himself, police said.
Bastrop officers who came to the scene found Salgado with a gunshot wound and took him to a hospital. Palacios died at the park. Salgado died from his injuries Tuesday at 2:58 p.m., authorities said.
Investigators determined Salgado had been romantically involved with both women. Based on their preliminary investigation, detectives believe he was responsible for both deaths.
The investigation into Gauna’s death remains open as detectives continue working to complete the case, Austin police said.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Anyone facing an immediate threat to their safety should call 911.