Man arrested and charged with murder in woman's death in East Austin

AUSTIN, Texas - A man has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a woman in East Austin. 21-year-old Jaunya Touchstone has also been charged with injury to the elderly.

Juanya Touchstone (Austin Police Department)

The Austin Police Department says that officers were sent to a home in the 7500 block of Rio Pass near Pecan Brook on December 21 after receiving a 911 call from a woman who said there was a verbal disturbance going on between two people at her home.

Court documents show that when officers arrived they found an elderly woman lying on the ground. The woman pointed to a man and said he was the one who pushed her down. That man was identified as Touchstone and the woman said he was her son.

Touchstone's mother than told officers that Touchstone had assaulted his wife, Diamond Bridgeman, and that Bridgeman was injured inside the home.

Officers entered the home and found Bridgeman unresponsive and EMS was called. Bridgeman was taken to the hospital where she later died from her injuries.

Touchstone's mother told police that Touchstone and Bridgeman had come home and appeared to be arguing. She says she called 911 and while on the phone went into her kitchen and saw Touchstone punching Bridgeman.

Touchstone's mother went outside and Touchstone pushed her to the ground and then kicked her multiple times in the chest.

Police say Touchstone ran away briefly when officers arrived but was caught.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS, use the Crime Stoppers app, or email APD Homicide at homicide.apd@austintexas.gov. Tips can be submitted anonymously and by downloading the Austin PD app, available free on iPhone and Android.