Couple Found Dead In North Austin Apartment

AUSTIN, TX — The bodies of a man and a woman — the culmination of what police believe was a case of domestic violence — were discovered in North Austin after relatives of the dead woman asked police to check on her welfare, officials said Monday.

The incident dates to Friday when police were dispatched to the 800 block of Sugaree Avenue around 9 am. The family of Ahlame Qourzal, 26, called police to check on the woman after seeing her vehicle along with that of her boyfriend, Justin Sands, 47, in the parking lot, police wrote in an advisory. During the course of their investigation, police said, officers learned a welfare check had been conducted the previous day at the request of the man's family.

The Sands family later expressed no concern over the couple's safety even after officers had received no response to their knock at the door, police said in an advisory. Police opted to leave the scene before documenting the incident.

Previous coverage: Police Investigate 'Suspicious Death' In North Austin

Police later returned to the scene, according to the advisory, and secured a key from the apartment manager after again receiving no response after knocking. The bodies of Qourzal and Sands were found after police opened the door, according to the advisory. "Based on the preliminary information gathered thus far, this appears to be an incident of domestic violence," police wrote without providing details. "The investigation is ongoing as detectives work to learn more about the relationship between Ahlame Qourzal and Justin Sands."

In their Monday update, police said investigators would not be made available for media interviews on the case. Police last week alerted to the incident in a report with few details other than to say they were investigating a "suspicious death." Police have not disclosed how the two died.

According to police, the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death. While detectives continue their investigation, they urge anyone with information or video of the incident to call them at (512) 974-TIPS, email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, utilize the Crime Stoppers tip line at (512) 472-8477 (TIPS), or the Crime Stoppers app.

Those submitting tips have the option of remaining anonymous. Tips also can be submitted by downloading the police department's mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.

Editor's note: The Austin Police Department on Tuesday issued a correction on the spelling of the surname for the deceased man. It is Sands, police corrected, not Shands as previously reported.