🚨 Detectives Link Austin And Bastrop Homicides To Same Suspect 🚨
Austin / Bastrop, TX — The Austin Police Department and the Bastrop Police Department are investigating two connected homicides involving two women in Austin and Bastrop.
According to a Sept. 17 joint release, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, 22-year-old Manuel Salgado Vasquez of Cedar Creek met his former girlfriend, 20-year-old Mariana Montoya Palacios, at Fisherman’s Park in Bastrop. Police said Salgado shot Palacios at close range, fatally striking her, then shot himself. Bastrop officers found Salgado suffering from a gunshot wound and transported him to a hospital. Palacios was pronounced deceased at the scene. Salgado later died from his injuries on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 2:58 p.m.
That same Tuesday morning at about 8:26 a.m., Austin officers responded to a welfare check at 744 W. William Cannon Drive for 27-year-old Desiree Gauna after a family member reported being unable to reach her. Officers found Gauna deceased with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced deceased at 8:49 a.m.
APD Homicide detectives said Gauna had been living with Salgado and had stopped communicating with others on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13. Salgado did not go into work that Sunday, and his whereabouts remained unknown into Wednesday, Sept. 16. A check of his vehicle found it at a wrecker yard in Bastrop.
Investigators determined Salgado had been romantically involved with both women. Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe Salgado was responsible for both women’s deaths. The investigation into Gauna’s death remains open.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If there is an immediate threat to someone’s safety, call 911.
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