The suspect in a 2024 shooting that was initially presented as an attempted suicide has been charged with murder.
FOX 7 reported that Irean Demuchest, 34, of Austin, was charged with murdering her cousin, Samantha Demuchest.
A report came in on June 21, 2024, alerting the police about an altercation at a residential area on South 1st Street. Shortly after, another call was made to 911 by Irean, alleging that her relative had taken her own life.
Initially, the officers faced difficulties gaining access to the residence, but the suspect eventually opened the door. Inside, they discovered Samantha lying on the floor with a gunshot wound, while Demuchest was holding Samantha’s baby.
Despite Demuchest’s attempt to portray the incident as a suicide effort, Samantha informed the authorities, before being transported to the hospital, that Irean was responsible for shooting her.
“Samantha was able to tell officers that Irean had shot her and was then transported to a local hospital,” APD said.
Demuchest was arrested and charged with first-degree aggravated assault/family violence with serious bodily injury, according to KXAN.
On November 12, 2024, Samantha died after spending the remainder of her life as a paraplegic due to the shooting. An autopsy released by the Austin Police Department determined her death resulted from complications related to a gunshot wound to the neck. Her death was classified as a homicide.
Demuchest remains in Travis County jail and is charged with first-degree murder.
