By Moses Leos III
The Hays County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the discovery of a badly decomposed body that was found floating in a stock tank near Kyle Thursday evening.
On Tuesday, the body was identified as Omar Alejandro Hernandez-Castro, 33, of Kyle, according to a Hays County press release and Hays County Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Judge Beth Smith. Castro was identified via dental records. His spouse was notified of his death on Sunday.
Smith said Castro had been missing for six weeks.
According to a Hays County press release, the body was found at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday after Hays County deputies responded to the 1500 block of Cotton Gin Road for a possible deceased person call.
According to the release, residents in the area reported to authorities a strong odor coming from a stock tank, where they believed they saw a person floating in the water.
When deputies arrived, they found the badly decomposed remains of a man in the stock tank. The cause of death remains unknown at this time.
Hays County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Jeri Skrocki said the investigation, as with all death investigation cases, is being “treated as a homicide until it is proven otherwise.”
“We will have to have the final autopsy completed to get detailed answers,” Skrocki said in an emailed response.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of the person or the circumstances of his death should contact detective Lenny Martinez or the Criminal Investigations Division at 512- 393-7814 or 512-393-7896.
Anyone with information regarding this or any case may the Hays County Sheriff’s Office at 512-393-7896 and speak with the Criminal Investigations Division or contact the Hays County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-TIPS (8477). Remember, information may be submitted electronically from the link on the Hays County Crime Stoppers website or by using the free “TipSubmit” application from a smart phone. Information leading to the arrest and indictment of criminal suspect(s) may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. All calls are confidential and callers will remain anonymous.
