AUSTIN, Texas — Police are asking the public for help identifying leads in the killing of a 40-year-old woman whose body was found in broad daylight behind a Southeast Austin apartment complex last week.
Homicide Detective Israel Pina described the case as “disturbing” and “devastating” during a news conference at Austin Public Safety Headquarters on Wednesday. The update by police was held exactly one week after the body of Francesca Ortiz was discovered naked June 17 at the Waters at Bluff Springs apartment complex at 7707 South I-35.
“The female was nude and suffering from obvious blunt force trauma,” said Pina. “This person that did this is a monster. We need to get this person off the streets.”
Investigators said surveillance footage from doorbell cameras inside the complex captured Ortiz walking around Building 2 at approximately 11:45 p.m. on June 16, the night before her body was discovered. Detectives believe she was there attempting to visit someone but may never have made contact with the person she was looking for.
Pina said investigators believe the suspect or suspects placed Ortiz’s body at the scene during daylight hours, which he said is unusual.
“I can’t stress to you how disturbing this case is for us,” Pina said. “The manner in which the victim was located and the injuries that she received were devastating and shocking to the conscience.”
Pina said investigators have not ruled out a threat to the public, given the nature of the crime and the fact that no suspect has been identified.
“We know the person who did this is a very violent individual and we don’t know if they have done this before,” said Pina. ““Naked female, out in a public area where there is a high risk of being caught. And then, of course, the trauma to her body. We are not getting into the specifics of what happened to her, but it was absolutely devastating.”
Detective Pina said Ortiz had items of value on her that were not taken, and that investigators have not yet established a motive.
“Time and again we see how tips, video footage, and information from the public become critical pieces that help move cases forward and bring clarity to difficult and complex investigations,” said APD Asst. Chief Mike Earley.
Detectives are asking anyone who had contact with Ortiz before her death, knew why she was at the complex, or has doorbell camera, dashcam or other video footage from the area between the night of June 16 and the afternoon of June 17 to come forward by scanning the QR code or reaching out directly to police at 512-974-TIPS.
Detectives are requesting any information from anyone who was in the area between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning or those with knowledge of the incident. Anyone with photos, videos, or other potential evidence is requested to share them with APD. You may submit materials by clicking here or scanning the QR code below. (Photo: APD)
There have been several other violent crimes in South and Southeast Austin in June, but police say they are unrelated.
“These are all very different cases. Charges were just filed on the one from last Monday. One of them was family violence and the third one is still being investigated right now,” said Sgt. Nathan Sexton.
The case is being investigated as Austin’s 29th homicide of 2026.