Authorities have charged a man in Texas with the stabbing and murder of another individual at a homeless camp, followed by an alleged attempt to dispose of the victim’s body through dismemberment and burning.
According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to a stabbing report in North Austin around 3:20 a.m. on June 19.
Witnesses at the scene directed officers to a homeless camp near the YMCA, where they discovered the lifeless body of the victim, identified as a male, located just a few feet away from 41-year-old Joshua Daniel, as per officials.
Officer Alexandra Parker of the Austin Police Department stated, “Officers located a person with obvious signs of trauma, and he appeared to be beyond help,” according to KTBC.
According to the arrest affidavit, Daniel reportedly responded to the police by saying, “I’m not saying anything, just put the cuffs on,” and he was subsequently detained.
Authorities have indicated that a witness reported Daniel using an anti-gay slur towards the victim before a physical altercation ensued, leading to multiple stab wounds inflicted by Daniel. Afterward, Daniel allegedly attempted to dispose of the victim’s body by dismemberment and burning, as reported by KTBC.
Daniel has been booked into the Travis County Jail and charged with first-degree murder, according to officials. The investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.
