The Austin Police Department (APD) Cold Case Homicide Unit has announced a resolution in the 1980 murder of Susan Leigh Wolfe, a case that had remained unsolved for more than four decades.
Susan Wolfe, who was 25 years old and a nursing student at the University of Texas at Austin, was abducted on January 9, 1980. According to police reports, she was kidnapped while walking to a friend’s house after her home had been sprayed for insects. A witness observed a car stop near Wolfe and saw the driver forcibly place her into the vehicle using what was described as a “bear hug.” The car was identified by the witness as a 1970 Dodge Polara.
Wolfe’s body was discovered early the next morning in an alley at 2000 East 17th Street in Austin. An autopsy revealed evidence of ligature strangulation and determined that her death resulted from a gunshot wound to the head. The pathologist also found signs of sexual assault during the examination.
In the initial stages of the investigation, APD officers pursued numerous leads and interviewed several suspects both locally and out of state. Despite these efforts, no arrests were made at that time.
A significant development occurred on April 27, 2023, when Detective Joe Jedynak submitted preserved DNA evidence related to Wolfe’s sexual assault to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Crime Laboratory. By February 12, 2024, testing produced a male DNA profile that eliminated previously known suspects. This profile was entered into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), leading to a match with Deck Brewer Jr., whose information appeared in Massachusetts law enforcement records.
Brewer, age 78, is currently incarcerated in Massachusetts on unrelated charges. On June 10, 2024, Travis County District Court issued a search warrant for Brewer’s DNA. APD detectives traveled to Massachusetts on July 13, obtained his sample for comparison, and conducted an interview during which Brewer confirmed he had been in Texas around the time of Wolfe’s murder but invoked his right to counsel when informed about his DNA connection to the crime scene.
DNA analysis showed it is extremely unlikely—about one in over five hundred quintillion—that anyone other than Brewer contributed genetic material found during Wolfe’s autopsy.
Based on this evidence and further investigation details, an arrest warrant charging Deck Brewer Jr. with murder was issued by Austin Municipal Court on August 14, 2024. He was later convicted in November 2025 by the 403rd District Court and received an eight-year sentence.
Detective Joe Jedynak led this effort for APD. “Detective Joe Jedynak led this investigation with passion and determination, ultimately solving a 45-year-old murder. His efforts exemplify the APD’s commitment to solving cold cases and delivering justice to victims and their families,” according to an official statement from APD.
Police continue to investigate leads regarding another individual believed to have been present during Wolfe’s abduction and encourage anyone with relevant information to contact their Cold Case unit or submit anonymous tips through Capital Area Crime Stoppers.
