According to the Llano County Sheriff’s Office, the remains likely belong to Eric William Wallace, a man with connections to San Antonio, North Carolina, and Florida that had been out of contact with his family since 2017.
“Recent forensic developments have advanced the investigation, and investigators are actively following up on new information related to the case,” reads a LCSO media release issued on June 12. “No piece of information is too small, and any information could be valuable to the ongoing investigation.”
Contact investigator Adam Guerrero at 325-247-5767 with information on Wallace or the case.
Background
Skeletal remains were found by a landowner on April 1, 2018 on a 1,500-acre ranch in western Llano County, about 8 miles west of the city of Llano on Texas 29. At the time the body was discovered, officials did not suspect foul play, and no further updates have been shared regarding the nature of the death.
Initially, investigators weren’t able to determine much about the identity of who the remains belonged to, or how they may have died. The Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Center assisted with the recovery of the remains and took them in for analysis.
In 2022, the Llano County Sheriff’s Office had a breakthrough, and released a facial reconstruction of the skeletal remains, sharing that the person they belonged to was likely a man between 24 and 39 years old and between 4 feet 11 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Despite the evidence shared in 2022, the case remained cold until recent developments.
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The body of a missing 27-year-old man was recovered on the morning of Saturday, June 13, in Lake Lyndon B. Johnson following a high-speed boating collision with a rock on Friday, June 12. The driver of the vessel involved was arrested following the incident.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials told DailyTrib that game wardens in Burnet and Llano counties responded to a “single-vessel incident” on the Upper Colorado River arm of Lake LBJ on Friday evening.
At the scene, wardens determined that the vessel, which was carrying four occupants, collided with a rock while traveling at a high rate of speed. Three of the occupants were ejected into the water, but only two resurfaced.
In tandem with the Kingsland Volunteer Fire Department, game wardens were able to use sonar scans to identify a point of interest and recover the body of the missing man Saturday morning.
The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the driver of the vessel, identified as 31-year-old Edgar Esteban Barrientos-Cruz, of Austin, was arrested by the TPWD and booked into the Burnet County Jail for a charge of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle for his connection to the incident on Friday.
The investigation remains ongoing.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time,” reads a TPWD statement sent to DailyTrib. “Texas Game Wardens encourage all boaters to wear a life jacket, use their engine cut-off switch and operate at safe speeds appropriate to the conditions.”
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The body of a boater was recovered on the morning of Monday, June 15, in Lake Buchanan following a multi-day search operation that began on Saturday, June 13.
According to statements provided to DailyTrib from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas game wardens responded to a request from the Llano County Sheriff’s Office at around 9 p.m. on Saturday concerning a missing fisherman near Shaw Island on Lake Buchanan.
The investigating wardens determined that the man, identified as Jay Staats, 55, of Buchanan Dam, had gone missing after dropping off a friend at a nearby boat ramp.
Staats was meant to meet his wife at Shaw Island, but after considerable time passed without his appearance, she and one of Staats’ friends boarded a separate watercraft to search for him. The two reportedly found Staats’ boat, beached, running, and in gear, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Search efforts from multiple local agencies began shortly after his boat was discovered Saturday night and continued until his body was found on Monday morning in the water near the shore by personnel from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Staats family and their friends during this difficult time,” reads the statement sent to DailyTrib. “Texas Game Wardens urge everyone on the water to wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.”
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Llano County declared a local state of disaster on Monday, June 15, regarding the county’s close proximity to the spreading threat of the New World screwworm outbreak.
A confirmed New World screwworm case documented on Monday, June 8, in Gillespie County put southwest Llano County within the “Adjacent Surveillance Zone” established by the Texas Animal Health Commission to monitor the screwworm outbreak.
According to a media release issued by Llano County on Monday, this declaration will remain in effect until June 22, when the Llano County Commissioners Court next convenes, and the court will determine whether or not to renew the declaration at that time.
The declaration of a local disaster activates Llano County’s emergency response resources and gives official authorization to local leaders to pursue assistance from other agencies and government bodies at the state and federal level.
Llano County residents with additional questions or concerns regarding the screwworm and local response should contact the Llano County AgriLife Extension Office at 325-247-5159.
An updated TAHC map released on Wednesday, June 10, shows southwest Llano County as within the “Adjacent Surveillance Zone” surrounding the “Infested Zone” emanating from western Gillespie County.
Background on the worm
The screwworm is the larval form of the New World screwworm fly. It is a flesh-eating parasite that wreaked havoc on Texas livestock, pets, and wildlife for decades before being effectively eradicated in the United States by the 1980s.
A resurgence of the bug was detected in Central America in 2023, moving steadily northward, with state and federal officials warning in 2025 of a possible U.S. outbreak.
The first confirmed infection documented in the recent wave within U.S. borders was in Zavala County, TX, on June 3.
Texas has been on high alert since the Zavala County case was detected. On Monday, June 8, Governor Greg Abbott activated the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to “Level II,” mobilizing state resources and agencies to combat the screwworm outbreak.
“I have activated the full use of all state resources to respond to the New World screwworm threat,” Governor Abbott wrote in a June 8 media release. “The protection of our ranchers, livestock producers, deer breeders, and the Texas economy from this pest is a top priority.”
Fly/worm life cycle and impacts
The concern about the worm centers on its ability to quickly harm or even kill animals if left untreated.
According to a research evaluation from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension on the New World screwworm, female flies are attracted to fresh, open wounds on warm-blooded animals. A wound as small as a thorn scratch or a tick bite is enough to draw them in.
Of special concern are the umbilical cord attachment points on newborn livestock, castration wounds, branding wounds, shearing wounds, dehorning wounds, or other wounds caused in regular ranching or agricultural work.
Female flies lay 100-300 eggs on the perimeter of a wound and within 24 hours the eggs hatch and begin to feed on living or dead flesh in the area.
Within one to two weeks, the worms grow, feeding on their host, consuming a large amount of flesh.
“Untreated screwworm infestations can be fatal,” wrote Texas A&M Entomologist Bart Drees. “The larvae will continue to feed on the animal and will eventually eat the host alive.”
Drees wrote that treating wounds immediately was the best control measure for screwworm infestations.
“Any animal with a severe wound should not be left untreated or out in the pasture unprotected,” he said.
dakota@thepicayune.com
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Low water crossings, creeks, and some roadways in the Highland Lakes area were flooded on the night of Sunday, June 14, due to heavy rainfall across Burnet and Llano counties. More precipitation is expected Monday night, Tuesday, and later in the week. Even more wet weather could be in store in the coming months, with climate scientists predicting a “very strong” El Niño.
Much of Central Texas was under a flood watch on Sunday, with several inches of rain falling throughout Burnet, Llano, and Travis counties, which led to rising waterways that were impassable until Monday morning in some cases.
A 5 a.m. statement issued by the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department on Monday, June 15, read:
“There are several low water crossings in our area that are currently flooded, especially on the county roads. There are also closures in the city of Marble Falls and Horseshoe Bay.”
At the time, the FM 2147 low water crossing on Flatrock Creek was closed, the CR 120 crossings over Backbone Creek were closed, the crossings on CR 401 and CR 404 over Double Horn Creek were closed, the crossing on CR 404 near Krause Springs in Spicewood was closed, and there were reports that water was over the road on CR 120 near RR 1431 West.
According to Marble Falls Area VFD Chief Derrick Curtis, residents should be vigilant about potential flooding in the coming days.
“The (Highland Lakes area) has been saturated for a few weeks now, so all of the low water crossings could flood (with more rain),” he said.
Burnet and Llano counties were under a National Weather Service flood watch on Monday morning that originally extended until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, but that watch was no longer in effect at the time of this article’s publication on Monday afternoon.
Rain
The primary cause of Sunday night’s flooding was several inches of rainfall that fell in just a few hours. The rain was primarily concentrated in southern Burnet and Llano counties.
The following numbers are rainfall totals measured by Lower Colorado River Authority rain gauges in the Highland Lakes between 2:10 p.m. on Sunday and 2:10 p.m. on Monday:
Honey Creek near Kingsland- 4.11 inches
Marble Falls 8 SSW- 3.92 inches
Kingsland 9 WSW- 3.69 inches
Lake LBJ at RM 2900 bridge- 3.15 inches
Round Mountain 6 WNW- 3.14 inches
The LCRA did not open any floodgates in the Highland Lakes area during the recent flooding, but the authority did release storm runoff through hydroelectric generation on multiple lakes.
Farther downstream, a gate on Tom Miller Dam was temporarily opened, and a floodgate on Lake Bastrop Dam was still partially open as of 2:15 p.m. on Monday.
El Niño
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced on June 11 that El Niño conditions had formed and that they would likely intensify in the winter of 2026-27.
While the climate pattern has sweeping impacts across the globe, for Central Texas, El Niño typically means warmer, wetter weather, especially in the winter.
This map shows the typical impacts of El Nino to the continental U.S. and Canada during Northern Hemisphere winter. NOAA image
El Niño is a phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate pattern, which is dictated by the surface temperature of the equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean. El Niño occurs when temperatures are 0.5°C above average for several consecutive months. La Niña, the counterpart to El Niño, occurs when the temperature is 0.5°C below average for several consecutive months. For Central Texas, La Niña usually means drier weather.
“El Niño, the warm phase of the (ENSO), is predicted to intensify to a moderate or strong level this fall,” reads a media release issued by NOAA on June 11. “Forecasters predict a 63 percent chance of sea surface temperatures exceeding 2.0°C in the Nino-monitored region of the Pacific. If this threshold is surpassed, NOAA considers the event a ‘very strong’ El Niño.”
The climate patterns are not guarantees of changes in weather, but in recent history, Central Texas saw the full impacts of a three-year La Niña and accompanying drought conditions that lasted 2021-23. The historic flooding of the Llano and Colorado rivers in October 2018 occurred during a particularly intense El Niño that lasted from 2018-19.
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Two homes in the Thunder Rock subdivision of Marble Falls were struck by lightning and caught fire in the dark, early morning hours of Monday, June 15.
According to a statement issued by Spicewood Fire Rescue, the department responded to mutual-aid calls with Marble Falls Fire Rescue at 2:22 a.m. and 2:26 a.m. after reports of two separate homes being struck by lightning. The affected residences were located at 320 Lone Cedar and 120 Southridge Trail. No injuries were reported.
A command unit from Spicewood Fire Rescue, whose crew included a resident of the neighborhood, alerted occupants of the Lone Cedar home and assisted with evacuation efforts. The fire at that residence was contained to the attic, resulting in minor damage.
The second home, located on Southridge Trail, was vacant at the time of the fire and was declared a total loss.
“I’m as perplexed as anyone as to why lightning strikes in the Thunder Rock subdivision,” Marble Falls Fire Chief Thomas Crane told DailyTrib.
This is the second instance of lightning striking in Thunder Rock in the last month, with a confirmed strike on May 19 that also drew emergency response.
Several agencies assisted with the response, including the Horseshoe Bay, Granite Shoals, Sunrise Beach Village and Round Mountain fire departments.
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Burnet County residents may feel and hear the impacts of bombardment training in the early mornings and afternoons of the next two weeks as Fort Hood conducts B-52 Stratofortress munitions testing. The routine training will run from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on June 15-16 and June 22-26.
A Fort Hood press release issued on June 12 stated that residents living around the base may hear increased aircraft noise and detonations during the scheduled training times.
The aircraft, from the Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, will be dropping 500-pound munitions as part of the training exercise which may result in small ground quakes.
Officials reassured residents that the testing is part of regular operations, and would not affect safety.
“Fort Hood regularly conducts training exercises to maintain readiness while working closely with local communities to minimize disruptions,” reads an excerpt from the media release.
Previous testing using the same B-52 and 500-pound munitions in December 2025 was felt by some residents near Bertram, which is approximately 32 miles from Fort Hood. Additional testing took place three months ago in March.
Residents are encouraged to report any unexploded ordnance or suspicious objects to 911 or the Fort Hood Directorate of Emergency Services at 254-287-4001.
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A juvenile suspect has been charged with murder in a shooting incident that occurred on Thursday, June 11, in the Thunder Rock subdivision of Marble Falls. The victim in the shooting was also a juvenile and a Marble Falls High School student.
According to Marble Falls Police Captain Jimmy Cole, the shooting occurred in a vehicle in the 100 block of Gray Slate Avenue in Marble Falls at around 8 p.m. on Thursday. The victim was reportedly shot and transported to Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin, but died from their injury.
The suspect was arrested shortly after the shooting, charged with murder, and transported to a juvenile detention center.
The investigation is ongoing, and many details may be withheld or sparsely shared by law enforcement due to those involved being juveniles.
The victim, identified as “Eric S.” by MFPD, was a student at Marble Falls High School.
MFHS Principal Patrick Hinson reached out to families on Friday, sharing the news of a student’s passing and to offer support for those struggling with the news.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the loss of one of our students last night,” Hinson wrote. “Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all those who knew and cared for them during this incredibly difficult time.
“We encourage families to check in with their children, listen to their concerns, and reassure them that it is normal to experience strong emotions following a loss.
“If you believe your child may need additional support, please feel free to bring your child to the high school on Monday, June 15th, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Counselors will be on hand to visit with your student.”
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The Marble Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is getting some badly-needed renovations to its storm-damaged headquarters thanks to a grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Pedernales Electric Cooperative.
The chamber was awarded $45,000 through the LCRA Community Grant Program, with financial support from PEC, to help cover the costs of restoring its office at 916 2nd Street in Marble Falls.
The chamber’s office was heavily damaged between June and July 2025 by flooding, which was followed up by a mold infestation, which all required complete interior and exterior renovations to remedy.
“We are deeply grateful for LCRA’s partnership and belief in our vision,” Chamber Executive Director Kim Kankel said in a media release. “Their support will leave a lasting impact on our chamber, our members and the community we proudly serve for years to come.”
The chamber will still contribute $119,127 of its own money toward the office repairs.
Once completed, the office can once again serve as a hub for local nonprofit organizations, businesses, employers, partner agencies, and more.
“The LCRA grant will make a tremendous difference in helping us create a welcoming, updated space that reflects the vibrancy of our community and the businesses we serve throughout the Highland Lakes region,” Kankel continued. “This investment is about more than a building; it’s about creating a place where people can meet, network, build relationships and opportunities for growth can flourish.”
Learn more about the Community Grant Program here.
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