AUSTIN, Texas — Austin police have released new details following an apartment fire that led to the discovery of two bodies.
On Wednesday, fire crews responded to a fire at the Pearl Lantana apartments on Rialto Boulevard in southwest Austin after a call about white smoke coming from one of the apartments.
As the Austin Fire Department (AFD) extinguished the fire, crews discovered a man and a woman with “obvious signs of trauma.” Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have identified the bodies as 33-year-old Micaela “Kayla” Sanchez and 35-year-old Daniel Sanchez. Investigators said they believe Daniel Sanchez shot and killed Kayla Sanchez before starting the fire, then shot and killed himself. Police also said he set fire to a garage that they owned within the apartment complex.
Police said there is no threat to the public and that this incident is being investigated as Austin’s sixth homicide of 2025.
Anyone with additional information on what happened should contact police at 512-974-TIPS. You can also submit tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers program through their website or by calling 512-472-8477.