An elderly man, Jack Moore, 84, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the alleged brutal slaying of his roommate, Linda Mlsna, 83, and her dog, at their home in Austin, Texas. This tragic event was discovered when the Austin Police Department responded to reports of deceased individuals at the residence located on Bryn Mawr Drive.
Police entered the home on Monday afternoon, November 18, 2024, to find Mlsna's body along with her pet dog. The deceased had not been seen for approximately six days prior to this discovery, raising immediate concerns among her neighbors and family. According to investigators, the scene was described by Detective Israel Pena as indicative of a “very, very brutal attack.” Mlsna was found unresponsive, and both she and her dog showed signs consistent with violent assault.
Neighbors had previously voiced concerns about the living situation, noting complications between Mlsna and Moore. Lupita Diaz, who lives nearby, recalled Mlsna expressing discomfort with Moore’s presence just weeks before her death. Diaz noted, “It was probably like a month ago she told me she didn't feel comfortable with him around,” highlighting the tension between the two individuals.
Compounding the situation, Moore was missing from the scene when police made their initial investigation. He was later located and arrested due to an outstanding warrant unrelated to Mlsna's homicide, connected to a carjacking. It was during the arresting process where authorities discovered evidence—Moore was found with several of Mlsna’s credit cards, which he had allegedly been using to make fraudulent purchases following her death. This raised suspicion, leading detectives to question him about his whereabouts and actions.
During the interrogation, Moore confessed to the homicide, detailing how he had harmed both Mlsna and her dog. Despite his advanced age, law enforcement officials stressed the unpredictability of violent tendencies, with Pena stating, “We shouldn't underestimate anyone. But you just can't predict who is dangerous and who is not.” This case, the 63rd homicide reported this year in Austin, serves as both a shocking incident and a grim reminder of domestic violence and its potential manifestations among all ages.
Moore, who has been booked at the Travis County Jail, is being held on a staggering $1 million bond. The court revealed Moore's history includes prior convictions and prison time, yet there have been no domestic violence reports filed against him or at Mlsna’s residence before this incident.
Following the tragic event, the neighborhood has been left reeling. Mlsna's friends and family mourn the innocuous nature of her daily life being shattered by such violence. Many who knew her described Mlsna as kind and generous, living at her home for over 25 years before the grim events unfolded. The local community has rallied together, expressing their disbelief and sadness over the loss.
The Austin Police Department has promised to provide more information as the case develops, including potential motivations behind the act of violence. Investigators are also seeking to piece together the moments leading up to the murder. They are encouraging anyone with relevant information to contact the Austin Police, underscoring the importance of community involvement in such sensitive cases.
What motivated Jack Moore to commit such unthinkable acts against his long-time roommate remains largely unknown. Questions swirling around the dynamics of their living arrangements and what might have led to this tragic outcome are still being explored. Authorities urge anyone who had interactions with either individual during this time to come forward, as learning more about their relationship could shed light on the events leading up to the crime.
