Copperfield Resident Austin Kanuch’s Family Seeks Justice as Reward for Information Increases to $20,000
Nearly two years after Austin Kanuch was brutally murdered in his West Harris County home, his family is still waiting for justice. On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Crime Stoppers of Houston renewed their public appeal, offering an increased reward of $20,000 for information that could help solve the case.
Kanuch, a 39-year-old father of three, was attacked and killed with an “edged weapon” while he slept inside his Copperfield-area home around 4 a.m. on September 22, 2023. His wife and their baby son were also in the home near 8600 Greenleaf Lake Drive, but were not harmed. Authorities believe the killer fled the scene on a mountain-bike-style bicycle.
At a press conference Thursday morning, Crime Stoppers' Andy Kahan, Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigators, and members of the Kanuch family stood side by side in an emotional call for answers. The case, despite multiple tips and neighborhood surveillance footage, remains unsolved.
The Last Day of Normal
Austin’s mother, Celene Miller, stood tearfully at the podium, speaking about the son she described as “a peacemaker” and “a friend to everyone.” Just one day before the murder, Austin and his wife Mary Paine Kanuch had closed on their dream home.
He was well-known in the community and had built a successful career as Internet Sales Manager at West Houston Infiniti. “To know Austin was to know a kind, gentle man with a big heart,” his family wrote in his obituary. “He lived his life large. He will be missed.”
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Born and raised in Houston, Kanuch graduated from Langham Creek High School in 2002 and went on to earn a degree in Broadcasting and Journalism from Sam Houston State University, where he was active in the TKE (Tau Kappa Epsilon) fraternity. He had three children: Abigail (14), Amelia (11) from a previous marriage, and Pearce, who was just 23 months old when his father was killed.
A Legacy of Love, Interrupted by Violence
For those who knew Austin Kanuch, the tragedy is not just in the brutal crime—but in the life it ended. He was a passionate car enthusiast, a devoted family man, and someone who brought joy to those around him through music, sports, barbecue, and community.
His mother and stepfather, Celene and Harold Miller, started a GoFundMe campaign shortly after his death to raise money for the reward fund. Though that campaign is currently paused, their dedication to seeking justice remains active and unwavering.
“Austin was a great provider, a loving husband, and a dedicated father and son,” the family wrote. “Our family will not rest until his killer is found.”
Copperfield resident Austin Kanuch, whose life was tragically cut short in a senseless attack on September 22, 2023.What We Know: The Crime and the Clues
Detective Kaelin Turner, the lead investigator on the case, shared that law enforcement canvassed the Copperfield and Northmeade Village areas in the days following the murder. Surveillance video captured a person of interest—described as a thin, possibly young individual—riding a mountain bike near the home around the time of the incident.
So far, tips have come in, but none have led to an arrest.
“We’ve talked to witnesses, reviewed footage, and followed up on leads,” said Turner. “But we still need the community’s help. Someone knows something that can break this case open.”
Call for Community Help: Tip Line and Reward
Crime Stoppers is now offering a $20,000 reward for any tip that leads to the arrest or charging of a suspect. Tips can be submitted anonymously through several channels:
- Call: 713-222-TIPS (8477)
- Online: crime-stoppers.org
- Mobile App: Crime Stoppers Houston
- Harris County Sheriff’s Homicide Division: 281-564-5988
“All tipsters remain anonymous,” said Kahan. “If you know anything—no matter how small—please come forward. Austin’s family deserves closure.”
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
