On December 31, 2011, 29 year-old Esme Barrera– a fixture in the Austin, TX, music scene– attended a New Year’s Eve show at the 29th Street Ballroom. Hours later, she was found dead in her apartment. Police are relying only on a general profile of the man who may have committed the murder, and there are no suspects at this time. It’s horrifying but possible that such a tragedy might go unresolved.
Esme was beloved among Austin musicians and music lovers alike, and tributes have been showing up online since before the police even officially named the 29-year-old as a victim. Her influence, and the reaction to her death, is even being felt all the way up here in New York City. A benefit in memory of Esme will be held on 1/12 at the Big Snow Buffalo Lodge in Bushwick, Brooklyn, hosted by Permanent Wave (check here for details on this and other benefit events across the country). Those who wish to contribute to a donation fund to help pay for her funeral can do so here, or you can send a donation to the Girls Rock Camp in Austin, where Esme volunteered with young girls.
It’s believed that the man who killed Esme is also responsible for New Year’s Eve assaults on two other women. If you live in Austin, you should definitely read this information from the U. of Texas at Austin Police Department. All that’s known about the murderer is available on that link, and police are relying on community help to identify him. Please call in if you can provide any information, and boost the signal to others in the community.
Image credit: forouresmeb.blogspot.com
