The city of Austin, Texas, is reeling from a horrifying crime that took the life of a local woman. Melissa Davis, a 33-year-old artist, was discovered dead in a burning patch of grass in the Northwest Hills neighborhood on September 29. Firefighters who responded to the incident found Davis’ body near the intersection of Mesa Drive and Cat Mountain Drive.
The Austin Police Department (APD) later revealed that a butcher knife was discovered near Davis’ body. The perplexing circumstances surrounding her death have led investigators to approach the case as a homicide. The timeline of events has raised questions during the investigation. Davis was found at 5:08 a.m., but the official time of death was stated as 5:37 a.m. by APD spokesperson Peter Kovach. The APD explained that the time of death is determined by when a doctor is informed by emergency medical services, not when the body is discovered.
Davis was a vibrant artist, remembered for her zest for life. Her death has left her family and friends in profound grief. She was recognized for her work in various art forms, including painting, tile work, landscaping, and music. Davis had a dream of opening an art hostel in Costa Rica with her friends, reflecting her love for art and travel.
As part of their ongoing investigation, the APD is currently looking for Davis’ vehicle, a blue 2016 Toyota 4Runner with Texas license plates KYV3765. A search warrant for Davis’ cell phone revealed that first responders detected a strong smell of accelerant at the scene, suggesting that she may have been burned alive. However, her phone was not found at the scene.
Davis, a native of Kentucky, was a graduate of the University of North Texas in Denton. She held a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a master’s in sustainable tourism. Davis had traveled widely for her studies and adventures, visiting countries like South Africa, the Philippines, and Costa Rica before settling in Austin.
Davis’ love for animals was a significant part of her life. She took great pride in being a dog mom to Dudley, her faithful companion for the past six years. They enjoyed spending time outdoors, going on long hikes and camping trips together.
The investigation into Davis’ death is still active and ongoing.