For the first time, Austin police used the word "murder" regarding the disappearance of mother Julie Ann Gonzalez.
Pictures of 21-year-old Julie Ann Gonzalez show an excited young mom. The last time anyone saw her smile was five months ago.
KVUE spoke to her mom, Sandra Soto, shortly after her disappearance.
"It's an empty feeling I can't get rid of," Soto said. "It's just a pain like no other pain I have ever experienced in my whole life."
Gonzalez's estranged husband, George DeLaCruz, told police Gonzalez went to his home on March 26 to pick up their daughter, but instead asked him to keep her a few more days. Two days later, her car was found abandoned in a Walgreen's parking lot near her home.
Monday, five search warrants were made public. All include the words "murder," "homicide," or "abduction."
In one warrant the detective states it is his belief "George DeLaCruz committed the offense of murder."
Police searched DeLaCruz's South Austin home on May 14 and carried out bags of items and towed two vehicles.
The search warrants reveal what police were looking for: blood, bone fragments, and human tissue. Police swabbed ten different things in the home for DNA. At least one was from apparent blood on the floor in the laundry room.
Rope and a latex glove were among nine items collected from the towed vehicles.
Police also confiscated a DVD and baby products DeLaCruz was allegedly shown on camera purchasing from a Wal-Mart with Gonzalez's debit card the day she went missing. Police say the card was used two more times that day at different McDonald's locations.
Police also requested access to DeLaCruz and Gonzalez's Yahoo email accounts, Facebook and MySpace records and their cell phones.
APD released a statement Monday saying:
"While some items were seized that may be of evidentiary value, not all items sought were found. At this time, George De La Cruz is considered a person of interest and it is believed that he has information that could be of great assistance to the investigation. De La Cruz has been interviewed in the past but is currently not cooperating with the investigation."
DeLaCruz's attorney would not comment regarding the new information, but says his client has not been arrested or charged. In May, he adamantly proclaimed DeLaCruz's innocence.
"He had nothing to do with her disappearance. He loved her, he loved their child and did everything he could cooperating with the authorities,” said Patrick Fagerberg.
If you have information regarding this case you are urged to call the homicide tipline at 477-3588.
For more information on Julie Ann Gonzalez and this case click here.
See below for the Austin Police Department's full statement:
Statement regarding Julie Ann Gonzalez from the Austin Police Department:
On March 27, 2010 Julie Ann Gonzalez was reported missing. Initially it appeared that
Julie’s disappearance was voluntary based on text messages sent to Julie’s family and
friends from her cell phone. However, the length of time since Julie’s last communication
with family and other information uncovered causes concern about Julie’s welfare. While
voluntary withdrawal cannot be conclusively eliminated as a possibility, it becomes more
unlikely as each day passes without contact from Julie.
A team of investigators from the Austin Police Department Violent Crimes Command have
been investigating this case. During the investigation, APD gathered information that led
us to believe that her disappearance may not have been voluntary. On May 14, 2010,
APD executed a search warrant at the residence of George De La Cruz, Julie’s estranged
husband. In that search warrant, detectives asked for numerous items of evidence that
they believed would be found at the residence. While some items were seized that may
be of evidentiary value, not all items sought were found.
At this time, George De La Cruz is considered a person of interest and it is believed that
he has information that could be of great assistance to the investigation. De La Cruz has
been interviewed in the past but is currently not cooperating with the investigation.
In the best interest of this investigation, APD is unable to share additional information at
this time.
APD has been and continues to work diligently on this investigation. The investigation will
not end until Julie’s family has the answers it seeks about what has happened to her.
APD appreciates the assistance we have received from national, local media and tips from
citizens. APD is grateful to the assistance of Julie’s family and their tireless efforts to keep
her information in the public forum. The department urges anyone with information about
Julie’s current whereabouts or the circumstances under which she disappeared to call the
Austin Police Department’s Homicide Tipline at 512-477-3588.
