"A Fatal Fall: The Treysuhr Carter Mystery"

the burl osborne award — SHOWCASE gold winner

KXAN
Contributors: Josh Hinkle, David Barer, Richie Bowes, Dalton Huey
08/07/2024

Following a KXAN investigation, the Austin Police Department re-opened the case of Treysuhr Carter, a 14- year-old girl who died in early 2024 after being found unresponsive with catastrophic injuries on a northeast Austin residential street. APD initially closed the case shortly after the incident and classified it as an accidental death caused by a fall from a non-motorized push scooter. The decision to suspend the case was based, police said, largely on the Travis County Medical Examiner’s initial findings. Carter’s family never believed her fatal injuries – a broken neck, traumatic brain injury, lacerated internal organs and a shattered shin bone – were caused by falling off her self-powered scooter. Carter was athletic, fit and healthy at the time of the incident. KXAN’s investigation of the case led directly to an amendment in Carter’s autopsy report and APD’s renewed examination.

IMPACT

Through the Texas Public Information Act, multiple interviews and assistance from family, KXAN obtained the police report, body camera video from the scene, hospital records, Carter’s autopsy and more. That body of evidence, as well as expert opinions from multiple independent forensic pathologists, called the closure of the case into question. In an interview with KXAN, APD acknowledged missteps in the case and admitted evidence lost from the scene should have been picked up – including Carter’s scooter. The vehicular homicide detective leading the investigation submitted his resignation from APD within days of KXAN first asking questions about Carter’s case and submitting record requests.

KXAN presented its findings to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office. Again, within days, that office began a new review of the case and soon issued an amended autopsy report that made an important change – clarifying Carter’s death most likely involved a motor vehicle and a “higher velocity impact” than a fall from a push scooter. During the investigation, the Austin Transportation Department also installed a digital speed sign on the road where Carter was found.

INNOVATION

KXAN utilized hours of video evidence and exclusive interviews with family, witnesses, police and experts to produce a documentary-style video feature to anchor a longform digital article. That story included interactive crime scene elements and links to key evidence, along with methods to report story ideas to KXAN and tips to police.

We also produced a recap report and a followup story highlighting updates and the impact of our investigation. We also livestreamed a discussion on the case, answering viewer questions about our work and next steps. KXAN continues investigating the re-opened case and is planning additional coverage.

MAIN LINK to content online

CONTINUING COVERAGE:
Austin detectives reviewing Treysuhr Carter case

ADDITIONAL LINKS:
Inside the Investigation
Amended autopsy excerpt
Viewer tip solicitation

Submitted by Josh Hinkle.