The Austin Police Department (APD) Homicide Unit is seeking public assistance to gather more information regarding the death of 24-year-old Cristian Rangel.
On April 8, 2024, at approximately 11:15 a.m., Cristian Rangel left his Southwest Austin apartment on foot, heading for Walmart at 5017 W. US 290. He never returned home and was reported missing that night.
Walmart surveillance footage shows Cristian entering the front passenger seat of a white GMC Terrain at approximately 1:30 p.m. Shortly after, the vehicle exited the parking lot at high speed, with video showing Cristian attempting to exit the car. APD determined that Kamery Wooldridge was the person Cristian met in the Walmart parking lot and the driver of the vehicle.
On April 19, 2024, at approximately 7 p.m., APD received a call about a deceased person in a field in the 5800 block of Spring Meadow Drive. The decedent was positively identified as Cristian Rangel.
Detectives concluded that Ms. Wooldridge disposed of Cristian’s body in this location. On May 14, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued for Ms. Wooldridge, charging her with Tampering with a Human Corpse, a Second-Degree Felony.
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force arrested Ms. Wooldridge on June 4, 2024; she is currently out on bond for this offense.
Despite Ms. Wooldridge's arrest and charges, this remains an active investigation. Detectives and Cristian Rangel's family are asking for community support to uncover what transpired between when he entered Ms. Wooldridge’s vehicle and when his body was discarded.
Cristian's mother, Misty Moon, stated: “It is with devastation that we are speaking about the tragic loss of Cristian Rangel... We will never stop seeking justice for him."
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS or submit tips anonymously through Capital Area Crime Stoppers by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward up to $1,000 may be available for any information leading to an arrest; additionally, the family is offering an extra $9,000 reward for information related to Cristian's case.
Case details include:
- Date: Monday, April 8
- Time: Approximately 10:55 a.m.
- Location: 5800 Spring Meadow Road
- Deceased victim: Cristian Rangel
The case has been investigated as Austin's 39th homicide of this year since new findings confirmed Mr. Rangel's injuries were consistent with assault at his time of death.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact APD or Capital Area Crime Stoppers immediately.