Homicide Investigation in the 6600 block of Willow Way

Case:  25-1541254
 
Date:  Tuesday, June 3, 2025
 
Time:  5:55 p.m.
 
Location:  6600 block of Willow Way
 
Deceased victim:  Diego Rocha, Hispanic male, 9/12/1991
 
Suspect (arrested):  Rodney Rawlings, White male, 44 years of age
 

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at approximately 5:55 p.m., Austin Police (APD) officers responded to a Check Welfare Urgent call in the 6600 block of Willow Way. The caller advised her brother appeared to be deceased and would not wake up. When officers arrived at the scene, Austin Fire (AFD) personnel were on scene attempting life-saving measures on the subject, who was later identified as Diego Rocha. Rocha was ultimately pronounced deceased at 6:43 p.m.

Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene.

An autopsy was conducted by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, which showed Rocha’s cause of death to be Toxic Effects of Fentanyl and Alprazolam.

The case was investigated by the APD’s Narcotics Support Unit (NSU). NSU detectives uncovered evidence related to Rocha’s death showing Rodney Rawlings had provided drugs to Rocha which resulted in his death. Rawlings was subsequently charged with first degree Murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

This case is being investigated as Austin's 56th homicide of 2025.