A body has been found amid a search for a Texas teenager who went missing on Christmas Eve, authorities said Tuesday.
Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, was last seen Wednesday morning, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s deputies and volunteers have been searching around the clock for her since and there was information to suggest she was in «imminent danger,» according to Sheriff Javier Salazar.
While searching an area Tuesday afternoon, authorities found a body in a field approximately 100 yards from Mendoza Olmos’ home, in northwest Bexar County, Salazar said.
«At this point we don’t suspect foul play,» he said during a press briefing.
In this photo released by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, is shown. She was last seen searching her vehicle for an unidentified item, according to video footage from early Wednesday. Investigators believe she left the residence on foot since her vehicle remained there.
Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
The body has not yet been officially identified and a cause and manner of death have not yet been determined by the local medical examiner, Salazar said.
«We hope that we can try to expedite that process to be able to get the community answers,» he said.
Salazar noted there were some indicators of self-harm.
A firearm was located at the scene where the body was found, Salazar said. A firearm belonging to a relative of Mendoza Olmos’ has been missing, he said. Authorities have not yet determined if the missing firearm is a match for the one observed at the scene, he said.
Salazar said one possibility investigators were working under regarding the teen’s disappearance was the «fear of self-harm,» and that there were some «indicators of suicidal ideation» and undiagnosed signs of depression.
Popular Reads
«From what’s being described to us, it sounds like it was a young person going through a very tough time in their life,» he said.
The body was found shortly before 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Salazar said. The area had been previously searched, though authorities with the sheriff’s office and FBI were back on Tuesday, Salazar said. The field has tall grass, and authorities felt there would be a benefit to check it again, he said.
The body was found in clothing similar to a description of what Mendoza Olmos may have been wearing when she went missing, Salazar said.
«This is certainly not the outcome we were hoping for,» he said.
Amid the search for the teen, authorities this week released a dashcam video from someone who was driving to work on Wednesday morning and passed a woman walking by herself. Salazar said Tuesday it is still unclear if that person was Mendoza Olmos.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide – free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988.
