The Austin Police Department is investigating after a man was found beaten in an alley. Around 5:16 a.m. on December 26, 2023, APD’s Homicide Unit responded to 1708 West Braker Lane for a welfare check. At the scene, they discovered an unresponsive man lying in an alley bleeding.

The victim, who was later identified as Hector Diaz-Esparza, was pronounced deceased. The Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Specialists responded to investigate the scene. Detectives say it was determined that the victim had been attacked by unidentified individuals who fled the scene.

The victim had signs of physical assault and appeared to have been beaten. The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the victim died by homicide due to blunt force trauma. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 512-974-TIPS or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.