AUSTIN, Texas — A woman arrested and charged with murder in the stabbing death of a man in Southeast Austin was linked to the crime scene by a “blood-stained hand swipe” on a wall inside his home, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by CBS Austin.
Sierra Rodriguez, 26, was arrested July 2 and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Michael Shelton, 74, according to Austin police. Shelton was found dead June 24 inside his home in the 5100 block of Lambs Lane after his friend of 32 years called 911 for a welfare check and discovered the body.
A man was found dead inside a Southeast Austin home Wednesday after a friend who had not heard from him in about a week made entry and discovered his body, police said. (Photo: CBS Austin)
According to the affidavit, the caller told police he and Shelton spoke daily by phone, but their last conversation was June 15. During that call, Shelton told him he had resumed a relationship with a woman named Sierra.
His friend said he did not try to call Shelton again until June 23, when he reached voicemail, prompting him to check on Shelton the following day.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Woman arrested, charged with murder in death of man found in SE Austin home
The friend’s wife described Rodriguez as someone who was “always hanging around” Shelton and told police she believed Rodriguez was taking advantage of him. The couple told police they urged Shelton to end the relationship, which resulted in Rodriguez making death threats against them, according to the affidavit.
Detectives found extensive blood evidence throughout the home, including in the hallway where Shelton’s body was found, on a bathtub and sink, and in bloody footwear impressions, according to the affidavit. Two kitchen knives wrapped in a bloodied women’s shirt were found on a bed, and a trash bag containing a bloody sheet and towels soaked in a cleaning solution was located in another room, the affidavit states. Investigators also found that interior surveillance cameras had been removed from the walls.
An autopsy conducted June 25 by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Shelton died of sharp-force injuries to his neck, head and abdomen, according to the affidavit. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.
Surveillance footage from a neighboring residence showed Shelton’s truck leaving the driveway for the last time on June 19. The vehicle was later found abandoned at an apartment complex on Cameron Road.
Investigators said the bloodstained handprint on the hallway wall was matched to Rodriguez’s right ring finger, according to the affidavit. A search of police records also showed Rodriguez had a history of family violence arrests, including a 2024 aggravated assault case in which she was accused of stabbing a man in the chest with a kitchen knife.
The case was investigated as Austin’s 31st homicide of 2026.