Photo: Bexar County Sheriff's Office
A body was found in connection with the search for Camila Mendoza Olmos, a Texas teenager who has been missing since Christmas Eve, authorities confirmed on Tuesday (December 30) via ABC News.
Olmos, 19, was last seen on the morning of December 24, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, and authorities have been searching continuously since with the belief that she was in "imminent danger" at the time of her disappearance, Sheriff Javier Salazar said during a press briefing on Tuesday. The body was located in a field approximately 100 yards from the teenager's home.
"At this point we don't suspect foul play," Salazar said.
The body hasn't been officially identified and a cause and manner of death are still pending, according to Salazar.
"We hope that we can try to expedite that process to be able to get the community answers," he said.
The sheriff confirmed that there were some indicators of self-harm as a firearm was located at the scene with the body. A firearm belonging to Mendoza Olmos' relative was also reported missing, though it also hasn't yet been determined as a match to the one located by authorities.
Salazar confirmed that investigators were considering Mendoza Olmos' disappearance to be linked to "fear of self-harm" and said there were "indicators of suicidal ideation" and undiagnosed signs of depression.
"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 added.
The body was located just prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in an area that had previously been searched prior to Bexar County Sheriff's Office and FBI officials returning on Tuesday. The body was reported to be found in clothing similar to a description of what Mendoza Olmos was believed to be wearing at the time of her disappearance.
"This is certainly not the outcome we were hoping for," he said.
Authorities had already released dashcam video footage of a person driving to work and passing a woman walking by herself, though Salazar said it wasn't determined whether the woman was Mendoza Olmos as of Tuesday.
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.