Haunted Austin: The Tavern: Loaded Potato skins  

Her Name was Emily.  And she is the “ghost” that some say still haunts The Tavern, right here in the heart of Austin, Texas; 

During Prohibition, the Enfield Grocery Store assumed an especially important social role in Austin, serving as a nightlife hub. Even though it, on the surface, still operated as a supermarket, rumors suggested that when the sun went down, the upstairs area turned out quite the exhibition.

From a hidden bar to a casino and a brothel, there was nothing that the underbelly of Austin could want that the Enfield couldn’t provide. These underground activities soon took over, and the tavern became more known for its nightlife rather than its produce prices. –Austin Ghost Tours

According to local legend, the second floor of The Tavern (then known as Enfield Grocery) was not only home to illegal booze and a secret brothel in the early 1920s, but also a murder scene. A politician and customer of the clandestine operation was allegedly caught visiting the bordello one evening, and in retribution, murdered the head madam’s young daughter, Emily—whom he hid in a crawl space on the third floor. – Rosie Ninesling,  Texas Monthly

Below are images of the stairs to the 2nd floor, the second floor itself, and the infamous crawl space up there where Emily was hidden.

Read more at this link:

I Survived the Rainey Street Ripper

Drugged man who plummeted 25ft off bridge believes 'serial killer' stalking Austin tried to drown him.” Daily Mail

• Twelve bodies have been found in Lady Bird Lake and Colorado River since 2022

• Police insist there is no serial killer but the mounting bodies sees rumor persist

• Jeff Jones survived falling off bridge near river, thinks he may have been pushed

Read more here

Earlier Posts

Second Post

NEW: September 2025
Rainey Street Ripper a Myth?

Different Drummer and her fellow Cycling Sleuth are still skeptical despite headlines such as the one that appeared in the Austin Chronical on Sept. 2, 2025”

“New report dismantles viral rumors about serial killer in Austin.
Social media hype fueled panic over a serial killer that didn't exist.”

The new study involved 22 years while the body count has increased drastically in the last 3 years. 

In the past three years, the causes of death have been mainly attributed to accidental drownings. Second is suicide, as well as drug overdoses, and natural causes.

Only one case has been ruled a murder; about half a dozen of these cases remain unknown. 

By using a longer period of time, the average deaths obscure the more recent uptick in deaths.  And buried in the report is the fact that of the recent deaths, “About half a dozen called “unknown.” The link below features facts, interviews, and family members who are not content with the Austin Police Department’s dismissive views on the drownings.

Read more at this link:

June 2025:
Body of Paddleboarder found in Ladybird Lake,

APD says the body was found in the water around Riverside Drive and South Lamar Boulevard.

This one appears to be an accident, but what about the “Over 3 Dozen Bodies Found in or around Lady Bird Lake since 2022.

Read more here https://www.differentdrummer.cc/main/body-of-paddle-boarder-found-in-ladybird-lake-june-3-2025

For a more complete summary of events read more here: https://www.differentdrummer.cc/main/rainey-street-drownings-the-smiley-face-killer-connection?rq=Petition%20Demands

April 2, 2025

Another body found face down in Lady Bird Lake on Thursday, March 27th. It is that of  49-year-old Jennifer Lynn Atkinson, according to police. Police say there is no indication of foul play, but are asking for anyone who might have seen something to contact homicide. The body was believed to have entered the lake the night before, Wednesday, March 26th.

While police have not confirmed this, one commenter says there body was without clothes.

Updates as more information comes in.

https://www.differentdrummer.cc/main/i-survived-the-rainey-street-ripper

or

https://www.differentdrummer.cc/main/rainey-street-ripper-update-december-2024

Another Found: Dec. 2024 (Courtesy of reporting by John Krinjak and Jenna King)

o   The death was one of at least six near the lake so far this year

o   Another death in the lake sparks renewed concerns

AUSTIN, Texas - There are renewed concerns after the body of a woman was found in Lady Bird Lake over the weekend. This is one of at least six deaths in or near the lake so far this year. 

"Very scary, especially given that I live in this neighborhood," said Neda, who lives near the lake. 

The woman's body was found Sunday, Dec. 1, in the water near Brazos and East Cesar Chavez Streets. 

"A 911 call was received from a kayaker who was paddling upstream and observed some type of object in the water," said Officer Leah Ratliff with the Austin Police Department. 

Police say it appears the woman was homeless, in her 60s, and may have been trying to keep warm, when she somehow ended up in the water. Detectives do not suspect foul play. 

"There's nothing that appears to be suspicious. There's no type of connection that they believe," said Ratliff. 

Austin Mysteries from your two cycling sleuths

Rainey Street “Drownings:” The Austin Smiley Face Killer Connection🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁 (with updates)

A petition calls out the Austin Police and City officials for what it terms “a miscarriage of Justice,” hinting that there is something “darker at play” here, and accuses officials of treating the victims’ families “callously and without empathy.”   

True Crime: Travesty of Justice for Austin Serial Killer Continues…

The Serpent’s Tooth: A Texas Mystery

Austin is now the trendy number one city, but back in the eighties it was more laid back – not so many skyscrapers and urban hipsters. Just outside of town, you'd be likely to run into old cowboys, ranch hands, and a diamondback or two. And just maybe – an accidental death not as accidental as it seems…

Complete with Texas Recipes for the Oktoberfest Dinner where all is revealed.

Chapter One

An Illustrated Introduction to Classical Horsemanship: Concepts and Skills from A to Z
by Gary Borich

A comprehensive resource in a succinct alphabetical format that brings the beginning rider through every aspect of learning to train and ride for show and trail.

Dec. 2, 2024 6th Body Found in Ladybird Lake: Austin Police:
Move along. Nothing to see here…

o   Another body was found in Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 2

o   The death was one of at least six near the lake so far this year

o   Another death in the lake sparks renewed concerns

AUSTIN, Texas - There are renewed concerns after the body of a woman was found in Lady Bird Lake over the weekend. This is one of at least six deaths in or near the lake so far this year. 

"Very scary, especially given that I live in this neighborhood," said Neda, who lives near the lake. 

The woman's body was found Sunday, Dec. 1, in the water near Brazos and East Cesar Chavez Streets. 

"A 911 call was received from a kayaker who was paddling upstream and observed some type of object in the water," said Officer Leah Ratliff with the Austin Police Department. 

Police say it appears the woman was homeless, in her 60s, and may have been trying to keep warm, when she somehow ended up in the water. Detectives do not suspect foul play. 

"There's nothing that appears to be suspicious. There's no type of connection that they believe," said Ratliff. 

o   Another body was found in Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 2

o   The death was one of at least six near the lake so far this year

o   Another death in the lake sparks renewed concerns

AUSTIN, Texas - There are renewed concerns after the body of a woman was found in Lady Bird Lake over the weekend. This is one of at least six deaths in or near the lake so far this year. 

"Very scary, especially given that I live in this neighborhood," said Neda, who lives near the lake. 

The woman's body was found Sunday, Dec. 1, in the water near Brazos and East Cesar Chavez Streets. 

"A 911 call was received from a kayaker who was paddling upstream and observed some type of object in the water," said Officer Leah Ratliff with the Austin Police Department. 

Police say it appears the woman was homeless, in her 60s, and may have been trying to keep warm, when she somehow ended up in the water. Detectives do not suspect foul play. 

"There's nothing that appears to be suspicious. There's no type of connection that they believe," said Ratliff. 

https://www.differentdrummer.cc/main/body-of-paddle-boarder-found-in-ladybird-lake-june-3-2025