Julio Santos III, a 22-year-old Hispanic male from Austin, Texas, tragically died on June 7, 2015. His body was discovered in Lady Bird Lake, a popular but occasionally perilous body of water near the Rainey Street Entertainment District. Julio had recently graduated from the University of North Texas with a double major in Merchandising and Digital Retailing. He was known for his charisma, academic excellence, and passion for graphic design and fashion.
He had returned to Austin for a brief visit before starting a new job in Seattle.
The official cause of death listed on his certificate was accidental drowning. However, Julio’s family, particularly his sister Melanie Raymond, has publicly expressed doubts about this conclusion. She believes that Julio may have been drugged and over-served alcohol before being lured to the lake. Melanie has described the trauma of imagining her brother’s final moments and has referred to Lady Bird Lake as the “Death River,” citing the emotional toll it has taken on her and her family.
Since Julio’s death, at least four other individuals have either disappeared or been found dead in the same lake, prompting concerns about safety in the area. These incidents have led to increased scrutiny of the Rainey Street district and calls for enhanced safety measures. In response, the Austin City Council passed a resolution to explore improvements such as increased patrols, EMS presence, HALO cameras, and collaboration with local bars to prevent over-serving alcohol.
Despite the concerns raised by Julio’s family and others, law enforcement has not identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with his death. The Austin Police Department has maintained that there is no evidence of foul play in Julio’s case or in the other similar incidents. This stance has fueled frustration among families who believe the deaths share troubling similarities and may be connected. The investigation remains officially closed, with no further developments reported.
