BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

Man killed Texas student in her apartment after 2 dates, police say

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police have arrested a man they believe is connected with the March death of a 21-year-old student.

Henry Watson, 24, is accused of killing Natalia Monet Cox, a senior at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, on March 31.

Watson’s arrest affidavit shows police responded to a report of a “terroristic threat” regarding Cox and Watson a week before the alleged murder. Cox reportedly told police she had only met Watson three days before prior and gone on two dates with him.

Cox reportedly texted Watson that she wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want him to come over, but Watson did anyway. Then police say she heard a knock at her door. Cox asked Watson if he was there, and he replied, “Open the door,” the affidavit said.

Cox called him via FaceTime: when Watson reportedly said he had a gun and he was going to shoot the door open if she didn’t open it. A roommate then called police, and Cox continued talking to Watson to calm him down, the affidavit said.

Police say Cox received text messages from people identifying themselves as family members of Watson’s four days after that incident on March 25. One of them, from someone identified as Watson’s father, said Watson was “very suicidal” and wanted to talk to her about what happened.

She didn’t reply.

She received another text from the same number nearly 24 hours later asking her to meet at another apartment complex, and she never replied, the affidavit said.

The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force found Watson sleeping in his car in a Round Rock parking lot, the affidavit said. Authorities report this was the same vehicle recorded on surveillance footage leaving the scene March 31 within a few minutes after the first call to 9-1-1.

Detectives say they found 9mm handgun ammunition Watson’s car when they searched it April 1. Police also found a pry bar. Detectives say there were pry bar marks on the door frame of Cox’s apartment.

An autopsy determined Cox death was homicide by gunshot wounds. Watson now faces a first-degree felony murder charge.

He’s scheduled to appear in court on June 10, according to records.

NewsNation affiliate KXAN contacted Watson’s attorney for a statement. Once it is received, we will update this story.

Southwest

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Sunny

la

66°F Sunny Feels like 66°
Wind
4 mph SSW
Humidity
33%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
52°F Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
4 mph S
Precip
16%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waxing Gibbous