Teen suspect faces murder charge in student’s killing

Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas

A homeless 17-year-old has been arrested, and police said Friday he’ll be charged with murder in the killing of a University of Texas dance major whose body was recovered in the heart of the bustling campus – unnerving one of the country’s best-known schools.

Meechaiel Criner wasn’t believed to be a university student and hadn’t been living in Austin long. Police Chief Art Acevedo said Criner could face additional charges in the slaying of 18-year-old Oregon native Haruka Weiser.

“We are very certain that the subject we have in custody ... is responsible for the death of this beautiful young woman,” Acevedo said at a campus news conference.

Weiser was last seen leaving the campus drama building Sunday night. Her body was found Tuesday in a creek near the alumni center and UT’s iconic football stadium, an area that hums with activity day and night.