Arrest made in New Year's Eve Bump murder

San Antonio police have arrested Christian Ivan Bautista, 29, suspected of killing Lauren Bump, whose body was found in O.P. Schnabel Park on New Year's Eve. San Antonio police have arrested Christian Ivan Bautista, 29, suspected of killing Lauren Bump, whose body was found in O.P. Schnabel Park on New Year's Eve. Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Arrest made in New Year's Eve Bump murder 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — A suspect in the stabbing death of Lauren Bump was arrested Saturday at O.P. Schnabel Park, where Bump's body was discovered on New Year's Eve.

Christian Ivan Bautista, 29, was charged early Saturday with the murder of the 24-year-old university student, authorities said.

Bump was found stabbed to death on a trail at the Northwest Side park at about 5:39 p.m. on Dec. 31.

A woman discovered Bump's body lying facedown on the trail, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. She provided a description of a suspicious man she saw on the same trail “pacing back and forth” and, later, sitting on the trail.

Police responded to a call about a suspicious person at the park Friday, whose description matched the man sought in connection with the crime.

Bautista was taken into custody and questioned about his whereabouts at the time of the slaying. The arrest warrant affidavit states that he was arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants. The county records office however said Bautista was arrested with a pre-emptive fugitive warrant for Bump's murder, which was issued Dec. 31.

Police report that Bautista denied being at the park New Year's Eve, but later said he had been there but was not involved in the killing.

Bautista's roommate was also questioned. He said he gave Bautista a military-style knife as a Christmas gift. He last saw the knife Dec. 30 when Bautista had it tucked in his waistband, the report states.

When the roommate asked about the knife New Year's day, he said Bautista said, “I stuck that (expletive). I cut her up real nice.” Bautista allegedly told his roommate he disposed of the knife.

Bautista was also arrested in 2007 for aggravated robbery and two counts of possession of marijuana. He later pleaded no contest to the charges.

For more on this developing story, stay with mySA.com.

To read more about Bump's life visit ExpressNews.com.

jalmendarez@express-news.net

Twitter: @jalmendarez57