Noman Sabit: Police in Texas have recovered the body of missing teen Camila Mendoza Olmos eight days after she disappeared. Authorities have confirmed that the recovered body is that of Camila. Multiple sources, including ABC News and NewsNation, reported the development. Nineteen-year-old Camila from Bexar County went missing early Wednesday morning, December 24, after leaving her neighborhood for her usual walk.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said Mendoza Olmos’s body was found a quarter-mile from her family’s home and died by suicide. A gun recovered at the scene belonged to the young woman’s relative. The gun was also previously reported missing.
Mendoza Olmos disappeared on Christmas Eve and was last seen on a dashcam video walking alongside the road after leaving her house around 7 a.m. Her mother told authorities her daughter often went for morning walks, but this time she didn’t return. The teen also left her phone charging at home.
A neighbor’s Ring camera captured video of Mendoza Olmos leaving her home, after which she was seen searching inside her car.
Notably, Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, from Bexar County, Texas, vanished after her mother said she went on one of her regular walks around the neighborhood early on Wednesday, Dec. 24. She was wearing a black North Face sweater with blue accents, baby blue pajama shorts and white shoes.
A person believed to be Mendoza Olmos was seen on surveillance video around 7 a.m., appearing to be searching in her car for something. A ground search has been underway in the area.
Investigators say the only items she had on her were her car keys and possibly a driver’s license. She disappeared while on foot, with her vehicle left behind at her home. Her cell phone was also left in her home.
NewsNation Law and Justice Correspondent Jennifer Coffindaffer said the fact that Mendoza Olmos was wearing pajamas and didn’t take her phone are two possible indications that the teen didn’t intend to leave her home beyond a short walk.
“It’s very unusual for someone to go missing at that time in the holiday season,” she said.
Authorities have not released many details about the case, but said that the information they have indicates that Mendoza Olmos could be in danger.
Authorities say they confirmed that Mendoza Olmos, a U.S. citizen, has not been detained by ICE.
Multiple agencies are involved in the search. The sheriff’s office said they have not ruled out anything in the case, including kidnapping, human trafficking or that she could have left of her own accord.
Mendoza Olmos had recently gone through a breakup, but authorities don’t believe that is related, as it was a mutual breakup and everyone has been cooperating with the investigation.
Editor’s Note: This article contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can find resources in your area on the National Crisis Line website or by calling 988.
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