Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Authorities in Bexar County, Texas, have provided a new update following the announcement on December 30 regarding the discovery of a body during the search for missing teenager Camila Mendoza Olmos.
Nineteen-year-old Olmos was last observed leaving her San Antonio home for her usual morning walk on December 24, but was declared missing when she did not return.
The search efforts continued for nearly a week until Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar reported on December 30 that a body had been located in a field nearby.
During a news conference, Sheriff Salazar mentioned that the identity of the body had not been immediately confirmed. However, it was found in an area with tall grass, just a short distance from Olmos’ residence. A firearm was also discovered in the vicinity.
On December 31, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body discovered the previous day was indeed that of Olmos.
The medical examiner determined that Olmos’ death was a result of suicide caused by a gunshot wound to the head.
Salazar highlighted that a firearm owned by one of Olmos’ relatives was reported missing, but as of Tuesday, officials had not confirmed if this firearm matched the one found at the scene.
Olmos’ remains were discovered following a collaborative search effort between the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputies and FBI agents, who decided to conduct a second search of the field, which had been previously examined.
Salazar stated: “Due to high brush, we made a conscious decision to head back out there and check again.”
The Sheriff also mentioned that there were ‘indicators of suicidal ideation’ in Olmos’ case, adding: “From what’s being described to us, it sounds like it was a young person going through a very tough time in their life.”
“This is certainly not the outcome we were hoping for,” he added, according to ABC News.
After the body was identified, Olmos’ father, Alfonso Mendoza, expressed to CBS Mornings that he had been ‘praying to God’ following his daughter’s disappearance.
“It’s hard. It hurts,” he said. “I might sound strong … but it hurts.”
On the day Olmos’ body was identified, Nancy Olmos, who identified herself as the cousin of Olmos’ mother, took to Facebook to ask the public to ‘respect’ the family’s grief and pray for them during this ‘incredibly difficult time’.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.