DNA Evidence Links Two 1999 and 2000 Sexual Assaults to Same Suspect

The Austin Police (APD) has closed two sexual assault investigations dating back more than 25 years after DNA evidence identified the same suspect in both cases and ultimately led to his arrest and conviction.

On September 9, 1999, a woman was at the Capital Metro Pavilion Park and Ride in the 12400 block of Research Boulevard after arriving on a northbound Leander bus. At approximately 9:15 to 9:30 p.m., she encountered an unknown man who approached her while she was sitting on a bench. As she got up to walk toward a nearby convenience store, the man physically assaulted her and attempted to sexually assault her. When the woman screamed, the man fled southbound. APD responded and collected forensic evidence during the investigation, documented under APD Case #1999-922521628.

Less than five months later, on February 8, 2000, a second woman was returning to her residence in the 9000 block of Northgate Boulevard at approximately noon. As she opened the door to her apartment, an unknown man asked her for assistance. She allowed him inside, at which point he violently attacked and restrained her and attempted to sexually assault her. The woman fought back, and the man fled. APD responded and collected forensic evidence from the scene, documented under APD Case #2000-920390716.

Investigators continued working both cases over the years. On April 3, 2000, APD received notification from the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) that DNA evidence collected from both incidents matched the same unknown male. Despite continued investigative efforts and the development of leads, the identity of the suspect remained unknown for more than two decades.

On October 11, 2023, APD received notification from TxDPS that the DNA profile had been identified as belonging to Michael Lance Gamez.

In February 2024, APD Detectives William Costello and Grace Wolfsbane located Gamez, obtained a DNA search warrant and conducted an interview. A DNA sample obtained from Gamez was submitted to the TxDPS Crime Laboratory for comparison with the male DNA evidence collected in the two unsolved sexual assault cases.

On October 30, 2024, the TxDPS Crime Laboratory confirmed that Gamez was the source of the DNA evidence collected from the two cases.

On November 15, 2024, Gamez was arrested and charged in connection with the attacks on the two women. The charges included Aggravated Kidnapping, a first-degree felony; Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault, a second-degree felony; and Attempted Sexual Assault, a third-degree felony.

On May 20, 2026, Gamez pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Assault, a second-degree felony, and requested sentencing by a judge.

On August 3, 2026, the Honorable Chantal Eldridge of the 331st District Court sentenced Gamez to 15 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

The resolution of these cases highlights the importance of preserving forensic evidence and continuing to pursue investigative leads, even when a case remains unsolved for many years. DNA evidence collected more than two decades ago ultimately connected two separate sexual assaults and provided investigators with the information needed to identify and prosecute the person responsible.