Identity of body found Tuesday morning confirmed to be missing UT student
‘As a parent, this is your worst nightmare’
The identity of the woman found Tuesday morning at Waller Creek has been confirmed to be Haruka Weiser, a first year Theatre and Dance student who went missing on April 3rd.
President Fenves sent an email to UT students confirming this information.
Weiser, was last seen Sunday night April 3rd, walking back to her dorm after a rehearsal in Winship. Students began asking if anyone knew of her where-abouts via social media.
Weiser was from Portland, Oregon, trained in ballet and an active member of the student organization “Dance Action.”
Counselors spoke to her parents this morning.
“I ask you to join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Haruka’s parents, family, classmates and friends and to help the university honor her life,” said Fenves in his statement today.
Update 2:04pm
A conference took place at the UT Tower at 1pm today, where President Fenves, APD Assistant Chief Troy Gay, Associate VP for campus Safety and Security Bob Harkins, and VP of student affairs Gage Paine all spoke.
“As a parent, this is your worst nightmare,” says Fenves. He went on to say that Haruka was a loved and respected member of our community. “To our students: you expect and deserve to be safe.”
Fenves
“On behalf of the Austin Police Department we want to send our deepest condolences,” states Gay. He also thanked everyone for their patience. He goes on to say the identity of the victim and give a description of what happened.
Haruka left rehearsal and never returned to her dorm that night. Monday morning her roommates reported her missing. That day, the police department did everything they could to find her. Tuesday morning, Haruka was found. Travis County Medical Examiner has ruled that the investigation is in fact a homicide and that she was assaulted. APD is asking the public for help to identify the suspect. The identity of the suspect is unknown, but is believed to be a black male, and approximately 6 foot tall.
Video footage of suspect
Fenves gave a statement on the Weiser family’s behalf: “Our beloved daughter, sister and friend, has been taken from us too soon…We know Haruka would not want us to be stuck in sadness, but keep living life to the fullest.”
Students and staff are being encouraged to be vigilant and cautious when walking the campus at night and to use Sure Walk.
There is a reward of $15,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect.
There is a vigil tonight beginning at 5:30pm on the East Mall by the CLA.
Counseling services available for students online, or they can call 512-471-2255. You do not need to make an appointment to see a counselor, walk-ins are welcome.
UTPD is asking for anyone with information about this to contact university police at 512-471-4441