Double-murder conviction for San Antonio man

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Austyn Hartnett, 24, was sentenced to 40 years in prison Wednesday for the deaths of two men whose bodies were found in a shallow grave on the South Side of San Antonio in 2023. Hartnett pleaded no contest to capital murder of multiple persons and tampering with evidence.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violent crime and drug-related incidents in San Antonio, which has seen an increase in homicides in recent years. The sentencing of Hartnett brings some closure to the families of the victims, Jeremy Sanchez and Aaron Espinosa.

The details

Police said the two men died during a shooting on July 20, 2023, in the 1800 block of Lockhill Selma. The next day, family members reported them missing. Police later located an abandoned rental vehicle used by one of the two men, with bullet holes and what appeared to be blood inside. Authorities then found their bodies in a shallow grave off 105 Mauermann Road. Investigators believe the shooting occurred during a drug deal.

• On July 20, 2023, the two men were killed in a shooting.
• On July 21, 2023, the men were reported missing by their families.
• Hartnett was sentenced on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.

What’s next

The judge's sentencing of Hartnett to 40 years in prison brings some closure to the families of the victims, but the case also raises broader questions about drug-related violence and public safety in San Antonio.