Unraveling the Tragedy: Mental Health Resources Urged in Travis County Amidst Rising Calls for Reform

The murder of a 21-year-old woman in Travis County on Tuesday has brought to the forefront the need for improved mental health resources in the area. Various groups have called for greater attention to this issue, emphasizing that mental health facilities are crucial in preventing such incidents from occurring.

Court records indicate that a 19-year-old, Keziah Titus, has been arrested on murder charges after killing her 21-year-old relative inside their home in northeast Austin. Deputies arrested Titus on these charges and her arrest affidavit details a violent incident where she admitted to killing one family member, attempting to kill another, and planning to kill one more. She called 911 stating that her mission was to assassinate somebody, but it went wrong.

Additional court records reveal that Titus had been arrested in April 2023 on misdemeanor family violence charges. She was able to post bond and get out of jail within three days with one of the conditions being mental health supervision. However, due to limitations in resources, the specifics of the mental health resources provided to her cannot be disclosed by the County Attorney’s Office.

The need for a mental health diversion center in Travis County has been emphasized by various groups, highlighting how crucial such facilities are in situations like Titus’. As of now, no attorney is listed for Titus and any updates on the case will be provided by KXAN.