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Family of woman found dead in East Austin still looking for answers a year later
It's been a difficult year for the Coleman family, not only coping with Nicole's death but knowing her killer is still out there.
AUSTIN, Texas - This week marks a year in the unsolved homicide case of 23-year-old Nicole Coleman.
Coleman’s body was discovered by a cyclist in a wooded area alongside Ed Bluestein Blvd. on New Year’s Eve in 2018. Austin police said Coleman was found naked with obvious signs of trauma.
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It's been a difficult year for the Coleman family, not only coping with Nicole's death but knowing her killer is still out there.
Coleman’s grandmother Jillian Coleman Wheeler remembers the phone call she received from police New Year’s Day and the pain she felt in telling her family the devastating news.
"It was truly awful, it was a lot of really,” Wheeler said. “It was one degree of awfulness after another."
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Coleman was visiting Austin from Houston. Wheeler said she began to have suicidal thoughts and submitted herself to a local mental health care facility before ultimately staying at a small group home for women in north Austin.
Wheeler said Coleman battled with mental illness since she was 14 years old and was a vulnerable sweet young woman. Coleman wanted to be a therapist so she could help other young people. Her grandmother described her as funny, kind and a good writer.
“She was more than her illness,” Wheeler said.
The last time Coleman spoke to her grandmother was Christmas Eve. In the early stages of the investigation, APD homicide detectives retraced the days leading up to her death.
Surveillance video from the Kool Corner gas station was released showing Coleman walking into the store on Dec. 28, 2018. Wheeler said it’s unknown how long Coleman’s body was out there before she was found.
On the one year anniversary, Coleman’s family took the time to mourn and remember her differently. Wheeler said Coleman’s parents and siblings went to her gravesite.
"We are committed to living the way we think Nicole would want us to," said Wheeler.
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Police have not released the manner in which she died or how many suspects of interest are involved. Wheeler said police told her others may have assisted in moving Coleman’s body.
Austin police have been in contact with the Coleman family and Wheeler said the homicide team has been tremendously helpful and are committed to preventing Coleman’s case from getting cold.
The fear of the unknown killer remains. Wheeler said she wants the person responsible for her granddaughter’s murder behind bars, if not for Coleman, then for the safety of others.
"Someone somewhere has some information that they haven't volunteered," Wheeler said. "This person who killed Nicole is dangerous, he's scary and he may have hurt or killed other women that we don't know about. He's someone who is capable of an enormous amount of rage. This guy or maybe more than one guy is out there and women are in danger."
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Anyone with information regarding Coleman's case is asked to contact Austin Police or Crime Stoppers at the TIPS Hotline 512-472-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-893-TIPS (8477).