Austin Woman Charged with Murder After Cousin’s Death from 2024 Shooting
A woman previously charged in the 2024 shooting of her cousin now faces a murder charge after the victim succumbed to her injuries.
On June 21, 2024, at approximately 6:14 a.m., Austin Police Department officers responded to a disturbance call in the 6000 block of South 1st Street after neighbors reported hearing a physical fight. At 6:31 a.m., 34-year-old Irean Demuchest called 9-1-1, stating that her cousin, 32-year-old Samantha Demuchest, had taken her own life.
When officers arrived, Irean, holding Samantha’s infant child, delayed opening the apartment door. Inside, police found Samantha on the ground in a bedroom with a gunshot wound. Despite her injuries, Samantha was able to tell officers that Irean had shot her. She was transported to a hospital, where she was left paralyzed.
Investigators determined Irean shot Samantha and attempted to stage the scene as a suicide. On the same day, Irean was arrested and charged with First Degree Aggravated Assault Family Violence with Serious Bodily Injury.
Samantha lived as a paraplegic until she died on November 12, 2024. An autopsy ruled her death a homicide, citing complications from the gunshot wound to her neck.
On March 6, 2025, Irean Demuchest was charged with First Degree Murder. She remains in the Travis County Jail.
Anyone with information should contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.
This case is being investigated as Austin’s 59th homicide of 2024.
Note: The prior homicide listed as APD’s 59th homicide of 2024 from the 1900 block of William Cannon Drive was later changed to an accidental death as the evidence showed the decedent had fallen while riding a bicycle. It has been removed as a homicide from 2024, and replaced with the case above.
