Austin Police Department solves cold case murder from 1979

The Austin Police Department has made a break in a cold case from 1979. 64-year-old Michael Anthony Galvan is accused of sexually assaulting and then murdering 18-year-old Debra Sue Reiding. 

The incident occurred nearly 40 years ago on January 22, 1979. 

Debra Reiding had recently moved to Austin with her newlywed husband Robert John Reiding when she was murdered at her apartment on Algarita Avenue. The couple had previously resided in Montana. 

Galvan was a suspect in 1979, but there was not sufficient evidence to charge him in relation to the crime. Advances in DNA technology allowed Cold Case Detectives to positively link him to the crime.

Galvan has worked and lived in Austin since the time of the crime.

“We want to commend the Austin Police Department, specifically the Cold Case Unit, in its perseverance and dedication to this case," Asst. District Attorney Keith M. Henneke said.

Galvan was arrested and booked in to Travis County Jail. His bond was set at $750,000.