Man beaten to death in Austin, police search for suspects

Loading Video…

This browser does not support the Video element.

A man has died after being beaten and left unconscious and a warrant is out for a woman suspected in his death, according to the Austin Police Department.

Benito Luna Vargas, 34, was transported to St. David's South Austin Medical Center after police and EMS responded to numerous calls about a man who had been beaten and left unconscious at approximately 12:29 a.m. Sunday. CPR was performed on scene and despite the efforts of medical staff, Vargas was pronounced dead at 1:01 a.m.

A second man had reportedly been assaulted during the same incident and was also transported to St. David's where he was treated and released.

According to a release from APD, witnesses learned that 37-year-old Jessica Romero and two other suspects, one described as a heavyset Hispanic female in her late 20's to 30's and the other a heavy-set Hispanic male in his late 40's to 50's, entered the residence at 1215 Southport Drive and began assaulting Vargas and the other man while demanding valuables.

Romero is described as a Hispanic female, approximately 5'7" and 130 pounds with a distinctive mole under her left nostril.

Romero is currently charged with aggravated robbery in connection with this, and APD said all three suspects may face capital murder charges. There is an active warrant out for Romero, and there is an up-to- $1000 reward for information leading to her arrest.

APD is asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + a message to CRIMES, use the new Crime Stoppers App, or email APD Homicide at homicide.apd@austintexas.gov. Tips can be submitted anonymously and can also be submitted by downloading APD's mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.