The body of 40-year-old Francesca Ortiz was found behind an apartment building in the 7700 block of the South I-35 service road on Wednesday afternoon.
AUSTIN, Texas — A woman who was found dead near Interstate 35 in South Austin has been identified, as an investigation into her death remains ongoing.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers received a call at around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday, reporting that a body has been located near the 7700 block of the South Interstate 35 service road on the northbound side.
APD said officers arrived and located an injured woman, identified as 40-year-old Francesca Ortiz, lying in a grassy area behind the Waters at Bluff Springs apartment complex. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homicide detectives determined that Ortiz was at the complex at around midnight the night before, attempting to visit someone. She was found suffering from injuries caused by blunt force trauma and died sometime prior.
Police said there is no information on a suspect at this time, but there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police at 512-974-TIPS. A tip may be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.
The incident is being investigated as Austin’s 29th homicide of 2026.