Homicide Investigation at 101 Brushy Street

Case: 26-1750717

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Time: 12:23 p.m.

Location: 101 Brushy Street (construction site)

Victim (Deceased): Cancel-Vargas, Luis Gerardo Hispanic male, 5/29/1979

Suspect (Arrested): Martinez, Jose Antonio, Hispanic male, 54 years of age

On Wednesday June 24, 2026, at approximately 12:23 p.m., Austin Police (APD) officers responded to the call of an urgent welfare check at 101 Brushy Street (construction site) as an individual had been found unresponsive in a bathroom (port-o-potty). CPR was attempted but the individual, identified as Luis Gerardo Cancel-Vargas, was pronounced deceased at 1:05 p.m. An autopsy was later performed, and the cause of death was found to be toxic effects of fentanyl, hydroxyzine, methocarbamol, and trazadone.
 
The investigation, conducted by the APD Narcotics Support Unit, showed Mr. Cancel-Vargas died as a result of the narcotics provided to him by Jose Antonio Martinez.

On September 30, 2026, an arrest warrant was issued for Martinez for First Degree Murder. He was taken into custody on October 5, 2026, and is currently in custody in the Travis County Jail. 

This case is being investigated as Austin's 44th homicide of 2026.