Austin police are re-examining the death of a woman this summer as a homicide nearly two decades old.

On July 8, 53 year old Frances Foster was found dead near a vacant building at the 2400 block of East Seventh Street. Medical examiners said there was no trauma to her body, so they didn’t suspect any foul play in her death.

But an autopsy performed on Foster's body revealed a laceration to the woman's pancreas.  Medical examiners believe complications from the stab wound 17 years after it happened led to her death.

"This one is a little bit out of the norm," said Austin police Sgt. Joseph Chacon.  "There was no indication of foul play; no evidence of trauma on her body.  For all intents and purposes, it looked like her death could be attributed to something other than foul play."

Chacon says the initial incident dates back to the summer of 1992.  Chacon said police were called to the 1100 block of Airport Boulevard for a disturbance between Foster and a man.  A person of interest was named in 1992, but no one was ever charged.  Chacon said Wednesday police will talk to the same person of interest identified in 1992.

The length of time is what could make solving the case difficult.  "We need to build from the ground up, develop all the evidence we can," said Chacon.  "Any statements from witnesses will ultimately lend itself to whether we file charges or not.

Police are asking for anyone with information to call the homicide unit at (512) 477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-8477.

The case is considered Austin’s 20th murder of 2009.