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Man Charged For East Austin Murder 9 Months Later


Police have charged a man with murder for the death of a man found in an East Austin apartment last April.

Investigators say 44-year-old Phillip Yates was found dead in an apartment at 6410 Chimney Creek Circle, west of Manor Road and north of 51st Street, on April 8 after officers responded to a check welfare call.

An autopsy was performed, but the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office requested an additional investigation be performed before a final cause of death was finalized.

Austin police say that over the last nine months, detectives interviewed witnesses and requested DNA testing that led to the identification of a suspect, 46-year-old Earl Fansler (pictured).

On Wednesday the ME's office ruled Yates' death a homicide by strangulation. And on Thursday Fansler was officially charged with Murder, a first degree felony. He is in custody, according to police.

The investigation into this case continues. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588 or Crimestoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" your message to CRIMES. You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your tip leads to an arrest or charges being filed.

Photo from Austin police