Deputies allege Horizon man killed unconscious girlfriend in bloody & brutal assault

HORIZON CITY, Texas -- Gruesome details emerged Thursday about the killing of a 37-year-old Horizon woman, who allegedly died at the hands of her live-in boyfriend last month in what authorities described in court papers as a brutal and bloody assault.

Travis James Edmisten, 36, was arrested Wednesday by El Paso County Sheriff's deputies on a charge of first-degree murder.

His arrest stemmed from the January death of Erin Teresa Hawkins, who was believed to be drunk and unconscious when Edmisten sexually assaulted her, leading to her death in the town home the couple shared, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by ABC-7.

Hawkins body was found in the master bathroom of the home on Jan. 25 and detectives said she died of "severe physical trauma."

The affidavit provides graphic details about the severe sexual assault allegedly committed by Edmisten that resulted in Hawkins death. ABC-7 has chosen to omit some of the details that it has deemed too graphic to publicly share.

Investigators said in the charging document that Hawkins blood alcohol level was .48, or six times the legal limit to operate a vehicle, on the night of her death - leading deputies to believe she was unconscious while being sexually assaulted.

The arrest affidavit said Edmisten claimed the couple had engaged in consensual "kinky sex" and that when Hawkins started to bleed, she got into the shower while he washed the bed sheets.

Deputies found his bloody hand prints in the bathroom as well as restraints covered in blood next to the bed, the court papers said.

Edmisten remains in the El Paso County jail downtown on a $500,000 bond in the murder case.