Investigators say two women were killed in Austin and Bastrop before the man believed responsible died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
AUSTIN, Texas — Police in Austin and Bastrop say two women found dead in separate Central Texas locations were killed by the same 22-year-old man, connecting a welfare-check investigation in Austin with a shooting two days earlier at a Bastrop park.
Austin police said their preliminary investigation indicates Manuel Salgado Vasquez, of Cedar Creek, was responsible for the deaths of 27-year-old Desiree Gauna and 20-year-old Mariana Montoya Palacios. Investigators said Salgado had been romantically involved with both women. Salgado also suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Bastrop and died at a hospital Sept. 15, according to police. The investigation into Gauna’s death remains open.
The first publicly known shooting happened Sunday, Sept. 13, at Fisherman’s Park in Bastrop. Police said Salgado met Palacios, his former girlfriend, at the park. Authorities said Salgado fatally shot Palacios and then shot himself. Bastrop officers responding to the scene found Palacios dead and Salgado wounded. Salgado was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Two days later, Austin officers went to a residence at 744 W. William Cannon Drive after a family member requested a welfare check on Gauna. Police said the family member had been unable to reach her. Officers arrived about 8:26 a.m. and found Gauna dead with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at 8:49 a.m.
Homicide detectives learned Gauna had been living with Salgado and had stopped communicating with others Sunday afternoon, police said. Investigators also learned Salgado had not gone to work that Sunday. Austin police said his whereabouts remained unclear to their detectives as they began investigating Gauna’s death.
Detectives eventually checked on Salgado’s vehicle and learned it was at a wrecker yard in Bastrop. As the Austin investigation continued, detectives discovered the Bastrop shooting involving Salgado and Palacios. Investigators then determined Salgado had been romantically involved with both women, according to a joint release from the Austin and Bastrop police departments.
Police have not publicly established the precise time Gauna was killed or released a detailed chronology showing when her death occurred in relation to the Bastrop shooting. Authorities also have not publicly identified a motive for either killing. Austin police have described their findings as preliminary while detectives continue working to complete Gauna’s case.
Gauna’s family told CBS Austin that she was a beautiful person and that relatives were heartbroken by her death. Austin police Detective Mendall Edwards said cases involving killings can have lasting effects on survivors, including children, parents and siblings. Police said Salgado had no previous arrests by the Austin Police Department.
Salgado remained hospitalized after the Bastrop shooting until he died from his injuries at 2:58 p.m. Sept. 15, authorities said. Investigators have not announced any additional suspects in either woman’s death. Austin police said the Gauna homicide investigation remains open as detectives complete the case and review the evidence linking the two incidents.
Author note: Last updated September 21, 2026.