The latest developments have been released in the disappearance of Texas teen Camila Mendoza Olmos, who was last seen leaving her San Antonio home on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.
At a news conference on Monday, Dec. 29, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said investigators believe she may have left on her own after receiving video from a neighbor. Dashcam footage received by authorities shows someone, believed to be Olmos, walking along Wildhorse Parkway on the morning she disappeared around 7 a.m. Salazar said he couldn’t say the people in the video were 100 percent Olmos, but he said the clothing seen on the people matched what the teen was wearing when he was last seen.
“Unless we have evidence that proves otherwise, we believe she did leave the residence on her own,” Salazar said.
Salazar said Olmos had shown some signs of suicidal thoughts in the past and said there were some “depression issues.” “But as a young person, what young person hasn’t experienced depression at some point?” he said.
“We don’t necessarily just have to say, ‘Oh, well, that must be it.’ “We have to consider all possibilities, from the possibility of intentional disappearance to the possibility of self-harm to someone taking her,” Salazar said. “We have to consider all possibilities at this point… We can’t start to narrow it down unless there’s evidence that we can narrow it down. “
When did Camila Mendoza Olmos disappear?
Olmos was last seen leaving his home around 6:58 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, in the 11000 block of Lehigh Springs in northwest Bexar County, according to a BCSO Clear Alert issued on Christmas Eve morning.
Video footage from the time shows an unidentified person, believed to be Olmos, searching her car for unknown items. After a while, the video ended. It is believed she left the residence on foot as her vehicle remained parked at the location.
The teen’s mother told authorities her daughter “usually goes for a walk in the morning.” However, she became concerned when her daughter did not return within a reasonable time. Her mother noted that it was also unusual for her daughter to leave her phone at home, saying she leads an active lifestyle.
Salazar said they are working around the clock on the case. Salazar said multiple agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, have joined the search. Salazar confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not arrest Olmos, a U.S. citizen.
He asked for the community’s help in locating her and asked Olmos’ neighbors to check their security cameras for any footage of her. Salazar said investigators are focusing on her neighborhood and surrounding areas.
“Even if you don’t live in this neighborhood, maybe you live two or three communities away; it won’t take any longer than you to just look at the surveillance footage later in the day and let us know and let us judge it,” Salazar said at a news conference. “Show it to us. Send it to us. Let us judge whether it’s usable.”
Looking for Camila Mendoza Olmos
After Olmos went missing, her family and friends created a search station at Wildhorse HOA Sports Park, 9700 Mustang Gate, San Antonio, TX 78254. Volunteer Frank Trevino told MySA that as of Monday afternoon they were no longer conducting group searches. He said hundreds of volunteers searched the area around her home multiple times.
Olmos was last seen wearing a light blue and black hoodie, light blue pajama pants and white shoes. She is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 110 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Officials said the only items Olmos may have had on her when she disappeared were “her car keys and possibly her driver’s license.”
The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation has joined the effort and is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to Olmos’ safe return.
Those who think they may have additional information about Olmos’ whereabouts can call the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office at (210) 335-6000; you can also contact the BCSO Missing Persons Unit at missingpersons@bexar.org.
Camila Mendoza Olmos is a student at Alamo College
Since Olmos was a student at Northwest Vista College, the Alamo Colleges District released the following statement:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Cami, her family, friends and the entire Northwest Vista College community during this extremely difficult time. … We know this news may be upsetting to many in our community. We encourage employees who need mental health support to use the Employee Assistance Program offered by AllOne Health. Learn more at AlamoShare. Students are encouraged to use the TimelyCare app, which is available 24/7 to all Alamo College District students. 24/7 access to confidential mental health resources. Thank you for keeping Cami and her loved ones in your thoughts and helping in any way you can.”
Editor’s note: If you are in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, text or chat, or text TALK to 741741 to contact the Crisis Text Line.
This article was originally published on New developments in the disappearance of Camila Mendoza Olmos.
