Leander man faces murder charge in Austin fentanyl-related death

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Leander man was recently charged with murder in connection with a northwest Austin fentanyl-related death that occurred in August 2024.

The Austin Police Department’s Narcotics Support Unit was assigned the investigation, which ultimately led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for 40-year-old Stephen Tamayo.

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APD said Tamayo was currently in custody in Williamson County on an unrelated charge. He is now being held on bonds of more than $1 million, according to jail records.

According to police, Tamayo’s murder charge was related to the death of 46-year-old Ryan Luper, who was found unresponsive Aug. 7, 2024, at a building in the 4300 block of Acropolis Court. The case is being investigated as Austin’s 72nd homicide of 2024.

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“The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Luper’s cause of death was from the ‘toxic effects of fentanyl and methamphetamine,’” APD said…

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