Body of woman, 27, is found outside her Natomas apartment

Detectives believe Brittney Austin was shot in the upper body; the motive remains a mystery.

By Chelsea Phua - cphua@sacbee.com

Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, May 15, 2008
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B3

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Sacramento police investigators gather at a Natomas apartment complex on Kokomo Drive where a 27-year-old woman was found fatally wounded about 8 a.m. Wednesday. "It doesn't appear that this was a random act of violence," police Sgt. Matt Young said. Bryan Patrick / bpatrick@sacbee.com

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A 27-year-old woman was found dead outside her Natomas apartment Wednesday morning, prompting a homicide investigation by authorities.

The Sacramento County Coroner's Office identified the woman as Brittney D. Austin.

Detectives believe Austin was shot in the upper body.

The motive has not yet been determined, Sacramento Police Sgt. Matt Young said.

"At this stage of the investigation, it doesn't appear that this was a random act of violence," Young said.

He added that the direction of the investigation could change at a later stage.

A maintenance worker found Austin, collapsed and unresponsive, about 8 a.m. near her unit in the Homecoming complex on Kokomo Drive, authorities said.

The worker called 911, and an emergency crew performed CPR but was unable to revive her, Young said.

An area of Kokomo Drive remained cordoned off Wednesday evening as police and crime scene staff investigated the death.

Some neighbors watched the activity from the sidewalk across the street.

The complex of townhouses and apartments has well-trimmed hedges and wrought-iron fences.

Louie Viramontes, 24, who visits his parents at the complex frequently, said he saw Austin's family stopping by in the afternoon to pick up her dog.

He said he was shocked by the incident, because the neighborhood is considered upscale and safe.

"This is a family-friendly neighborhood," Viramontes said.

The complex's management distributed a flier to residents in the evening, informing them of the shooting and saying it has no details in the case.

"We do not want to hinder the police investigation in any way," the flier reads.

It also asks anyone with information to contact Sacramento police at (916) 808-0650.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP.

Callers could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

About the writer:

Call The Bee's Chelsea Phua, (916) 321-1132.

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Body of woman, 27, is found outside her Natomas apartment

Detectives believe Brittney Austin was shot in the upper body; the motive remains a mystery.

By Chelsea Phua - cphua@sacbee.com

About the writer:

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