The need for better mental health resources in Travis County was highlighted following the killing of a 21-year-old woman on Tuesday. Various groups have called for increased access to mental health services in the county to prevent such tragedies.
Court records indicate that a 19-year-old named Keziah Titus is accused of killing her 21-year-old relative in their northeast Austin home. Titus was arrested on murder charges after a violent incident where she admitted to killing one family member, attempting to kill another, and planning to kill another.
Titus had previous run-ins with the law, as she was arrested in April 2023 on misdemeanor family violence charges. She was released on bond within three days, with one condition being that she receive mental health supervision. The limited mental health resources in the county have raised concerns about the ability to provide adequate care for individuals like Titus.
The Travis County Attorney’s Office highlighted the need for a mental health diversion center, currently in development in the county, to better address mental health issues in the community. While Titus does not have an attorney listed at this time, efforts are being made to improve mental health services in Travis County to prevent future incidents like this.