Who Killed Austin Kanuch?
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Austin Adam Kanuch (pronounced con-you), 39, grew up in the Cy-Fair Copperfield area of Houston, Texas. Austin worked as the Internet Sales Manager at West Houston Infiniti since 2019, where he earned a stellar reputation as one of the dealership’s top-performing and most respected salesmen.
He was previously married from 2008 to 2018 and had two daughters, ages 14 and 11 at the time of his death, for whom he had primary custody. In 2020, he married Mary, and together they had a son who was 23 months old when Austin was killed. The family lived in a rental home on Green Leaf Lake Drive in the Northmead Village subdivision of Copperfield, West Harris County, and had recently purchased a home nearby where they planned to move and raise their children together.
The Murder
In the early morning hours of September 22, 2023, 39-year-old Austin Kanuch was asleep beside his wife, Mary, while their baby slept in the nursery of their home on Green Leaf Lake Drive in West Harris County, Houston, TX. Around 3:26 a.m., an unknown suspect broke into the house and stabbed Austin with an edged weapon while he slept, killing him.
The attacker fled on a mountain bike about an hour later. Nothing was stolen, and investigators believe the attack was targeted. Despite extensive efforts by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect has never been identified. A $40,000 reward remains available through Crime Stoppers of Houston for information leading to an arrest.
Timeline:
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Austin and his wife Mary closed on a home in Copperfield a subdivisions in unincorporated northwestern Harris County, Texas.
*Unclear/ unconfirmed if this was related to the homicide
Friday, September 22, 2023
Austin and his wife were asleep in their bed while their baby was in the nursery of their rental home on Green Leaf Lake Drive in the Northmead Village subdivision of Copperfield, West Harris County, Houston, Texas. Austin’s two daughters from a previous marriage, for whom he had primary custody, were not in the home at the time.
3:23 a.m.
- Surveillance cameras captured a person, described in news articles as a “post adolescent male or female” on a mountain bicycle was traveling North on Spring Green Drive toward West Road.
3:26 a.m.
- That same bicyclist approached Austin’s residence on Green Leaf Lake Drive and forced entry into the home.
The suspect’s method of entry is consistent with a break-in, as confirmed by Detective Turner.
3:28 a.m.
- The individual was seen again on West Road, moving toward Telge Road, then turning back south into the neighborhood.
During the break-in
- Austin and his wife Mary were asleep in their bedroom when the intruder attacked.
- Austin was stabbed in the neck while in bed, resulting in fatal injuries.
- Mary immediately dialed 911 while the suspect was still on the premises.
- Their 11-month-old son was in the nursery at the time but was unharmed.
- Austin’s two daughters from a previous marriage were not in the home.
4:24 a.m.
- Approximately one hour after entry, the same individual was captured on surveillance leaving the home, getting back on their mountain bike, and heading south toward West Road.
4:28 a.m.
- the same individual was seen traveling on West Road toward Telge Rd and then turned back south on Spring Green Drive into the neighborhood where they had first appeared.
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Video of suspect on bike
Aftermath & Current Status (as of October 2025)
- No property appeared to have been stolen, ruling out robbery as a motive.
- An edged weapon was recovered at the scene.
- Detectives canvassed the area for video surveillance and witnesses, collecting footage that captured the suspect’s movements before and after the killing.
- Investigators analyzed Austin’s social, professional, and personal life for potential motives.
- No evidence of criminal activity, disputes, or risk-taking behavior was found.
- Friends and colleagues described him as a peaceful and loved individual, a “peacemaker” who avoided conflict.
- The attack appears to be targeted, not random.
- The suspect is described as a post-adolescent individual of thin build, last seen riding a mountain bike away from the scene.
- Surveillance video of the suspect exists, though it is dark and of low quality.
- The Harris County Sheriff’s Office ruled out Austin’s wife, Mary, as a suspect.
- Reward: $40,000 for tips leading to arrest.
- Tip Line: Crime Stoppers of Houston, 713-222-TIPS (8477), or online at www.crime-stoppers.org.
Source: Det. Kayne Turner, HCSO Crime Stoppers Press Conference
Who Killed Austin Kanuch Facebook Page
Source “post adolescent male or female” Fox 26 Houston - May 29, 2025
Bike video Click2Houston
