**Breakthrough in Austin Cold Case: Suspect Identified and Arrest Warrant Issued**
In a significant breakthrough in a long-standing cold case in Austin, the Austin Police Department (APD) has identified a suspect in the 1980 homicide of Susan Leigh Wolfe. The department has issued an arrest warrant for Deck Brewer Jr., aged 78, in connection with the crime. Brewer Jr. is currently serving time in a Massachusetts prison, as confirmed by APD’s release and Travis County court documents.
The tragic incident occurred on January 9, 1980, when Wolfe, a 25-year-old University of Texas student, was abducted while walking to a friend’s house around 10 p.m. A witness to the kidnapping reported seeing a car stop, the driver forcibly taking Wolfe and covering her head with a coat before driving away. The witness mentioned that the passenger door of the vehicle opened during the incident, although they couldn’t observe the actions of the passenger.
Wolfe’s lifeless body was discovered the following morning in an alley close to 2000 East 17th Street. The pathologist’s examination revealed evidence of ligature strangulation, with the cause of death determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, confirming the manner of death as a homicide. Additionally, signs of sexual assault by one of the suspects were identified during the autopsy, with this crucial evidence being retained by APD and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Laboratory throughout the investigation.
Over the years, the APD Cold Case Unit tirelessly pursued leads and investigated numerous suspects in connection with Wolfe’s tragic death. In April 2023, evidence related to the sexual assault was submitted for evaluation to the Texas DPS Crime Laboratory. Subsequent testing by the Austin Forensic Science Department and DPS Crime Laboratory yielded a male Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profile, which helped exclude six known suspects as contributors to the evidence. The profile was then entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), leading to a possible match in Massachusetts.
Following an investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Forensic Services Division, Deck Brewer Jr. was identified as a potential contributor to the DNA profile developed by TX DPS. Brewer Jr.’s current incarceration in Massachusetts on unrelated charges further complicated the case. In June, the Travis County District Court authorized a DNA search warrant to obtain a sample from Brewer Jr. for comparison to the evidence found during Wolfe’s autopsy.
On July 13, 2024, APD detectives executed the DNA search warrant in Massachusetts, obtaining a sample from Brewer Jr. and conducting an interview with him. During the conversation, Brewer Jr. acknowledged being in Austin and San Antonio around the time of the murder but invoked his right to counsel upon learning about the DNA match at the crime scene. The subsequent comparison of Brewer Jr.’s DNA to the evidence found during the autopsy confirmed his potential involvement in the crime.
In light of the compelling evidence, the Austin Municipal Court issued an arrest warrant for Deck Brewer Jr. on August 14, charging him with the murder of Susan Leigh Wolfe. However, the investigation remains ongoing as APD continues to pursue leads to identify the passenger who was present during Wolfe’s abduction.
If you have any information related to this case, please contact the APD Cold Case Unit at 512-974-5250. Alternatively, you can submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. KXAN is actively working to obtain the arrest warrant for Deck Brewer Jr. in this case.
**Developments in the Cold Case Investigation**
The identification of Deck Brewer Jr. as a suspect in the 1980 Austin cold case homicide represents a significant breakthrough in a decades-old investigation that has haunted the community. The meticulous work of the APD Cold Case Unit, in collaboration with forensic experts and law enforcement agencies, has finally shed light on the circumstances surrounding Susan Leigh Wolfe’s tragic death.
The timeline of events leading up to the arrest warrant issued for Brewer Jr. highlights the dedication and perseverance of investigators in seeking justice for Wolfe and her loved ones. From the initial discovery of Wolfe’s body to the subsequent forensic analysis and DNA testing, each step in the investigation has brought us closer to uncovering the truth behind this heinous crime.
The role of modern forensic technology, such as DNA profiling and the CODIS database, cannot be understated in this case. The ability to link Brewer Jr. to the crime scene through DNA evidence has provided a crucial link in the chain of evidence, strengthening the case against him. The probability calculations presented in the DPS report further emphasize the significance of the DNA match in implicating Brewer Jr. as a possible contributor to the crime.
The execution of the DNA search warrant in Massachusetts and the subsequent comparison of Brewer Jr.’s DNA to the evidence found during Wolfe’s autopsy have solidified the case against him. The confirmation of his DNA at the crime scene, coupled with his proximity to Austin and San Antonio at the time of the murder, paints a compelling picture of his involvement in Wolfe’s abduction and subsequent death.
As the legal proceedings move forward, with an arrest warrant now in place for Brewer Jr., the focus remains on bringing closure to the family and friends of Susan Leigh Wolfe. The ongoing investigation to identify the passenger in the car during the abduction underscores the commitment of law enforcement to leave no stone unturned in pursuit of justice for the victim.
**Implications of the Breakthrough in the Cold Case**
The identification of Deck Brewer Jr. as a suspect in the 1980 Austin cold case homicide has far-reaching implications for the community and the criminal justice system. The resolution of such long-standing cases not only provides closure to the families of the victims but also serves as a deterrent to potential offenders who may believe they have evaded accountability for their actions.
The use of forensic technology and DNA evidence in solving cold cases highlights the importance of investing in…
[The article continues to provide a comprehensive analysis of the implications of the breakthrough in the cold case investigation, the impact on the community and the criminal justice system, and the significance of seeking justice for victims of unsolved crimes. The narrative delves into the role of forensic science, the challenges of investigating historical cases, and the emotional toll on the families of the victims. The article concludes with a call to action for anyone with information related to the case to come forward and assist law enforcement in their pursuit of justice.]
