Tragic Discovery: Body and Firearm Found Near Home of Missing Texas Teen Camila Mendoza Olmos
By Staff Reporter | San Antonio, Texas
SAN ANTONIO – A body believed to be that of 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who vanished on Christmas Eve, was discovered Tuesday afternoon in a field just hundreds of yards from her family’s home in northwest Bexar County, authorities announced.
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the FBI, located the remains around 4:45 p.m. near the Burning Bush Landscaping Company at the corner of Bent Canyon and FM 1560. The site, obscured by tall grass, had been searched previously but was revisited due to the dense vegetation, Sheriff Javier Salazar explained during a press briefing.[1][2]
“This is certainly not the outcome we were hoping for,” Salazar stated, noting that the body was clad in clothing matching the description provided by Camila’s mother. The sheriff emphasized that formal identification and determination of the cause of death await confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s office. Initial observations suggest the body had been in the location for five or six days, consistent with the timeline of her disappearance on December 24.[1][2][3]
Firearm Recovered Amid Signs of Self-Harm
Compounding the grim find, investigators recovered a firearm near the body – a weapon they had been seeking in connection with the case. While details remain limited, Salazar indicated “some indicators of self-harm,” and stressed that no foul play is suspected at this early stage.[1][2][4]
The discovery prompted the immediate discontinuation of a statewide CLEAR alert issued for Camila, signaling authorities’ belief that the remains are hers, though official confirmation is pending.[4]
Camila, described as a petite 110-pound young woman, was last seen leaving her home in the 6600 block of Copper Sky near FM 1560. Her family, including members with ties to Southern California, had been actively involved in the search efforts, pleading for public assistance in the days following her vanishing act on a holiday morning.[2]
Family Questions Key Evidence
Amid the heartbreak, Camila’s father, Alfonso Mendoza, voiced skepticism regarding a dashcam video released by the sheriff’s office, which investigators believe captures his daughter on the day she disappeared. “Oh, it isn’t her,” Mendoza told reporters. “She’s a thin young lady, 110 pounds, and that dash cam looks like a heavier person.”[1][3]
Mendoza’s doubts highlight ongoing tensions between the family and investigators as they grapple with the sudden and tragic turn. Texas EquuSearch volunteer Tim Miller offered support, stating, “We want to make sure we have resources that would be available,” underscoring the community’s mobilization in the search.[1]
Community and Volunteer Efforts
The search for Camila mobilized local law enforcement, the FBI, and volunteer groups like Texas EquuSearch. The area’s challenging terrain – characterized by thick brush and tall grass roughly 100 to 250 yards from the family residence – had thwarted earlier attempts, prompting the decisive Tuesday sweep.[1][2]
“It’s an area very, very close to here,” Salazar noted, referring to the proximity to the Olmos home. The ten-minute search that yielded the body came after deputies decided to recheck the field, a decision vindicated by the outcome.[2]
As the Medical Examiner’s office proceeds with autopsy and identification procedures, the focus shifts to providing closure for Camila’s grieving family and community. The case, which began as a mysterious holiday disappearance, has ended in profound sorrow, raising questions about mental health and the need for vigilance in rural areas.
Background on the Disappearance
Camila Mendoza Olmos was reported missing on December 24 after failing to return home. Initial investigations included the release of dashcam footage purporting to show her, though her father’s rejection of its authenticity has fueled family frustrations. The proximity of the discovery site to her home has stunned locals, who described the neighborhood as familiar yet deceptively vast due to overgrown fields.[1][3]
Authorities have not released further details on the firearm or self-harm indicators to respect the ongoing investigation and family privacy. Updates are expected as the medical examiner’s report emerges in the coming days.
This developing story serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the critical role of thorough search protocols. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office extends condolences to the Olmos family and urges anyone with additional information to come forward.