SAN ANTONIO — A body has been found amid an ongoing search for a Texas teenager who went missing on Christmas Eve, local authorities said Tuesday.
19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos was last seen around 8 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies and volunteers have been searching for Olmos the past few days, and officials had information that she was in “imminent danger,” according to Sheriff Javier Salazar.
While searching on Tuesday, authorities found a body in a field approximately 100 yards from Mendoza Olmos’ home in northwest Bexar County.
“At this point, we don’t suspect foul play,” Salazar said during a press briefing.
The body has not yet been officially identified, and a cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
“We hope that we can try to expedite that process to be able to get the community answers,” he said.
Salazar noted that there are indicators of suicide.
A firearm was located at the scene where the body was found. A firearm belonging to a relative of Mendoza Olmos’ has been missing, according to local authorities, but they have not determined if the missing firearm is a match.
“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. The area had been previously searched, but the field had tall grass, so a second search was conducted. The body was found in clothing similar to a description of what Mendoza Olmos may have been wearing.
“This is certainly not the outcome we were hoping for,” he said.
“Don’t take anything for granted … sometimes when everything seems to be OK … they are coming to peace with the fact they are ending their life. … Reach out and get help,” Salazar said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, call 988 or text TALK to 741-741.
