Body found on UT campus identified as first-year dance student

AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas at Austin has released the identity of a woman whose body was found in a creek Tuesday on campus.  

Haruka Weiser, a theater and dance student, has been identified as the victim, according to UT president Gregory L Fenves.

Investigators gathered evidence on the campus late into the night Tuesday after the body was found near the school's alumni center.

The discovery was made around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.  The news of what detectives call a homicide was delivered to students through an on-campus alert an hour later.

Police on Thursday released surveillance video of a person of interest in connection with Weiser's death. The person was seen around 11:30 p.m. on the north side of the football stadium on a red or pink woman's bicycle.

"At this time we do not know the identity of the suspect. We need the support of the community," Austin Police Chief Troy Gay said.

He is described as a black man, around 6 feet tall with an athletic build.

Weiser was last seen leaving the drama building  around 9: 30 p.m. Sunday. She texted her roommate to say she was on her way back to their dormitory.

Friends reported her missing when she didn't show up to her dorm room on Monday. 

A cause of death has been determined but police are not releasing details.

"Law enforcement is doing everything they can to bring the perpetrator to justice," Gay said.

In a letter addressed to the UT community, Fenves wrote in part, "Haruka was a beloved member of our dance community, liked and admired by her classmates and respected by professors for her intelligence and spirit. Dance faculty members first met Haruka more than two years ago when she performed at the National High School Dance Festival. They immediately began recruiting her to come to UT from her home in Portland, Oregon. Our community was made better by her decision to join the College of Fine Arts.

"Trained in ballet, Haruka excelled in all her performance endeavors. She was also involved in Dance Action, a student-run organization for dancers, and performed in the fall Dance Action concert.
UTPD first learned that Haruka was missing on Monday morning and immediately began a search. As I reported in my message to campus yesterday, Austin police are leading the homicide investigation into this horrifying and incomprehensible crime and working with UTPD and other law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend a suspect quickly.

"The unthinkable brutality against Haruka is an attack on our entire family. Law enforcement is fully engaged to do everything to bring the perpetrator who committed this crime to justice.

"I ask you to join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Haruka’s parents, family, classmates and friends and to help the university honor her life."

A video posted on Vimeo appears to show Weiser during a holiday production with The Portland Ballet:

Digication 1 from Haruka Weiser on Vimeo.

TPB released a statement Thursday, in which Founding Artistic Director Nancy Davis was quoted saying, "Haruka was not only a gifted and talented dancer but a gentle and kind spirit that everyone at TPB loved, teachers and students alike. Our hearts go out to her family and friends."

In 2015, the school said she graduated and was later invited to joint the TPB's Youth Company. It was an invitation she declined because she had an existing commitment to another liberal arts school, according to TPB. "That decision is emblematic of Haruka's maturity and dedication," TPB administrators said in a release.

TPB  said Weiser first attended the school in 2012 after being accepted into its Master's summer program. She was 16 years old at the time. 

"This is a tragic day for every student who walks across our beautiful campus and expects to be safe," UT president Gregory Fenves said.

"Don't walk distracted by your phone or earbuds," said Capt. Don Verett, of the UT Police Department. "Be aware of your surroundings at all times."

“We cried all day yesterday,” said Jaelynn Blount, a freshman involved in dance and theater. 

She says many of the dance and theater students often hang out at the creek where Weiser's body was found, since it is close to the dance and theater building.

“I was actually there on Sunday and I was honestly alone, so it’s kind of scary to think that could have been me or any one of us,” Blount said.

While Tuesday's discovery was shocking to students, faculty, and alumni alike, it didn't disrupt classes or other scheduled events. But the school's president is urging caution while investigators sort out the details of this homicide.

"Our top priority is for the safety of our students, our faculty and staff and visitors who come to the campus every day," Fenves said.

Fenves also ordered an extra 50 police officers to patrol campus on foot and bicycle until further notice.

Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call Austin Police Department at 512-974-5372. A $15,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

The following statement was shared on April 7 by the family of Haruka Weiser, according to UT:

"Haruka Juliana Tsunemine Weiser, our beloved daughter, sister and friend was taken from us too soon. We will forever miss her; the pain of our sudden and tragic loss is unfathomable. We are grateful for all the support, kindness and prayers that have been offered to us. Words cannot express the outpouring of love we have received.

"Haruka was a passionate and dedicated dancer and student. She was so happy to be a student at UT and was looking forward to the chance to perform again as a Dance Major and she was declaring a second major in pre-med studies, too. She had plans to explore the world of medicine this summer and to travel to visit family in Japan.

"Although Haruka loved to perform on stage she never sought the spotlight in her daily life. Perhaps the last thing she would want it to be the poster child for any cause. And yet, as we struggle to understand why she was killed, if her death can somehow make it safer for a young woman to walk home, if it will prevent another assault or murder, then at least we could find some meaning behind an otherwise senseless and tragic death. To her friends, the many of students at UT and at her high school in all the dance programs in which she participated we are united in prayer for Haruka and for each other. No parent, brother, sister or friend should have to face this kind of sadness, this kind of loss.

"Yet, many do. And now we have joined that family. At UT, Haruka did make many friends and received so much support from this community. We know Haruka would not wish for us be stuck in sadness but to keep living life to the fullest; that is what we will try to do in the coming days. And we offer prayers and encouragement for you to do the same.

"Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time."