Found Deceased TX - Chrissy Powell, 39, San Antonio, Paralegal, didn’t arrive @work, BOLO, 5 July 2022

[Tssiemer]

Well, that behaviour depends upon everyone's own manager at work.

If I was late in my job, I could never get away with that, and nor would I dare even try it!

I would head straight to work, keep my head down, be humble and apologize..... then spend the rest of the day working my a$$ off and staying out of everyone's way.

Ah. I'm a social worker. So I don't really have a schedule... It's more guidelines. Like Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

[Friday Fan]

Do you think after seeing the locations of tape and such, that she would have driven there to get a coffee or lunch to take to work and just had some issue in her parking spot? It seems to me her car was found close to the steak house, not near the coffee truck at all where one would expect her to park to get coffee if she went to the coffee truck. If she went into a business to get coffee, her car would have been parked in front of it. It's odd she was parked near a steakhouse rear area unless she bought food / drink elsewhere and then had an issue and had to pull over but family said her credit cards weren't used unless, I guess, she paid cash, or never purchased anything anywhere there.

No I do not.
There is a brand new Dutch Bros Coffee near her house!
There is also a Shipley's and Dunkin fairly close to her home. All of these places have drive thrus. All are on the way to her work. There are also taco places etc too. (I got hungry just counting all the food places on Huebner Rd between Apple Creek and I-10. )

Getting in and out of Huebner Oaks is not very convenient and certainly not a place to rush in to "grab a bite".

 

[annpats]

It's odd that she would spend time stopping off at the malls/car park area rather than spending time going home to get her cellphone.

I think something happened the night before (another argument? alcohol? drugs? mental health?) causing her to sleep in late. I don't really think she had any intention to be at work when she went to bed, nor when she woke up.

She wasn't in the right mindset to call her work and ring in sick, as it was a new job, and I think the promotion may have actually caused her more stress and guilt. She now feels she really has to prove herself, and she's already struggling. She's doing her best at hiding it all, but inside, I think she's falling apart.

I think she left her phone at home intentionally, so her work (or anyone else) could not contact her. Then she drove off to somewhere familiar where she could remain anonymous to sit and think, and try and sort her thoughts out. And sadly, I think they got the better of her.

MOO.

 

[PrairieWind]

Hi me again.
But if I'm already late... I'm still stopping at Starbucks and I'll roll in with the cup in my hand while waving at people 20 mins late lol. You're already late... sometimes I ask if anyone wants anything if I'm feeling guilty or nice, lol.

That isn't how law firms work. If she is late and walks in with a Starbucks cup showing she still stopped for coffee, she is probably cleaning out her desk. Clients come first, first last and always.

 

[MntnHiker]

So for those of you local to this area, how long do you think it reasonable would take to drive from her house to this parking lot, taking into consideration traffic and such at this time of day? Some have alluded to the fact it would not take a half hour so she had to have gone somewhere else first. I'm curious how much extra time she took getting here and where else she may have gone first, especially knowing she did not have her phone (so she didn't just pull over to have a phone convo somewhere).

 

[GoBuckeyes]

I've had both panic and anxiety attacks that led to me fainting--usually because my blood pressure drops thanks to hyperventilating. Hasn't happened to me in a few years thankfully (anxiety meds have made a world of a difference). I don't know if it's a common thing though--not suggesting this is definitely what happened to her but just that there is some possibility that whatever mental health things she was going through could have resulted in her putting herself in dangerous circumstances like overheating in a hot car without actual intent to kill herself.

Thank you for sharing this. That makes sense about the blood pressure dropping. I wish we knew more about her medical condition(s).

I have a hard time believing anything other than that it was an accident of some sort. I can't imagine what her family must be going through.

 

[Friday Fan]

So for those of you local to this area, how long do you think it reasonable would take to drive from her house to this parking lot, taking into consideration traffic and such at this time of day? Some have alluded to the fact it would not take a half hour so she had to have gone somewhere else first. I'm curious how much extra time she took getting here and where else she may have gone first, especially knowing she did not have her phone (so she didn't just pull over to have a phone convo somewhere).

It should not take 1/2 hr at 10 am

However, the time frame is coming from her mom and not LE, so she may have approximated it.

 

[GoBuckeyes]

So for those of you local to this area, how long do you think it reasonable would take to drive from her house to this parking lot, taking into consideration traffic and such at this time of day? Some have alluded to the fact it would not take a half hour so she had to have gone somewhere else first. I'm curious how much extra time she took getting here and where else she may have gone first, especially knowing she did not have her phone (so she didn't just pull over to have a phone convo somewhere).

She could have stopped to try to pick up a cellphone, either a burner or a new phone. Have no idea when she realized that she didn't have her phone.

 

[Curiousobserver]

The mall is in no way on a direct path from home to the office. She clearly drove around for a while then ended up in the mall parking lot, far from her office. She never intended to go to the office that day. She was already late, left her phone at home. Something was already amiss before she ever left the house. This has nothing to do with her not feeling well and pulling over or stopping to look for something in the glove box or other seat.

Go from (her) house, make a right on Huebner, go past that mall and make a right on Vance Jackson. Her job is another left off Vance Jackson. A lot of people aoid the freeways because it makes them nervous.

 

[stee]

If there is security footage showing that she arrived 30 minutes after leaving home, I'm wondering if LE has continuous video of the entire three weeks? I'd guess the video would not be able to show movement within the car though

 

[MountainGal33]

Just my opinion and thoughts.

I have a friend who was a heavy drinker back in the day. Sometimes she would drink till she passed out sleeping. And woke up the next day late for work. Always rushing out the door. But technically still intoxicated. (she is in recovery now 10 years).

I know people that take sleeping pills specifically ambien and still can't function properly the next day. Some people wake up and have no memory of thier day from Ambien. Or sleep walk.

I look at her behavior that morning - leaving the phone /rushing out the door/wobbly as she exits her home (on the door cam video) - I can't help but think some kind of impairment. Which led her to pull over to get a coffee or was so impaired it may have hendered her thinking and she just pulled over and fell asleep to never wake up.

It happens.

It may not be the case but it wouldn't suprise me if something was in her system and it was an unintentional death.

I know the we will fnd out soon enough.

 

[Spartygirl]

Since you asked.. IMO - As to spending time thinking about suicide - to a point yes, but not because they want to die. Then why do they do it? Because they want to stop the pain of living. It can take more courage to live than to stop the pain. But ending a life is a permanent solution.

I have battled severe major depression. I have come to think of it like this line from the movie The Terminator.
Kyle Reese: Listen, and understand. That terminator is out there. It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.

I think of depression as like my own personal Terminator. I have learned that I can’t think my way out of it. It’s not me thinking anyhow, it’s the depression. It wants me dead. So when I have fallen deep and dark, I just decide it won’t be today. Just not today. The Terminator isn’t going to kill me today. I will live to battle him at least one more day. Do ANYTHING else - if I have to climb in bed, or hide in my house, or if all I can manage today is to make a cup of tea, that’s ok. I won’t let it happen. At least NOT today. I will be messy, but alive. Procrastination becomes my friend. That is the thing about suicide - it’s not one of those things you have to do now or you lose your chance. I mean, you can always do it tomorrow. Then when tomorrow comes, you deal with that and remember that you managed not to do it the day before. Just keep taking baby steps.

ETA: Peace and love to all who suffer. You are not alone.
jmo

Strong words of wisdom, my friend.

Thank you for sharing and yes... One day at a time !!!

 

[Seattle1]

There was hazard tape on a few utility poles, but poles in between didn't have them. Two of the poles were several hundred yards apart.

One pole with hazard tape was directly behind Saltgrass
Another pole was across from California Kitchen/Chipolte
Another was pole was close to Bath and Body Works

^^rsbm

Big thanks @Friday Fan for your efforts.

IMO, the taped-off area is no different than investigators blocking off an entire street to respond to a single residence. Authorities here including the ME were responding to the recovery of a person that was missing for three weeks, and the taping-off of a corridor was not only to keep others out but also to give the responders some working room as well as to protect the integrity of the investigation and privacy of the victim and family.

As reported in PEOPLE, "I don't believe she would ever want her children to go through what they're going through right now," Leal said, I think CP parked at a busy, public location where she believed her vehicle would be located very soon. I agree with the ME that CP likely succumbed to hyperthermia (heatstroke).

Bexar County Medical Examiner has not yet declared an official cause of death but told the outlet she appears to have died from hyperthermia or overheating.

A tragedy for the young mother, her children, family, and friends. Wishing them comfort and healing in the days ahead.

Texas mom Christina Powell was at mall half hour after leaving home — but wasn’t discovered for 3 weeks

Powell left her San Antonio home quickly around 10:30 a.m. on July 5 after telling her mother she was late for work at her paralegal job, according to police and doorbell footage.

nypost.com

 

[GoBuckeyes]

^^rsbm

Big thanks @Friday Fan for your efforts.

IMO, the taped-off area is no different than investigators blocking off an entire street to respond to a single residence. Authorities here including the ME were responding to the recovery of a person that was missing for three weeks, and the taping-off of a corridor was not only to keep others out but also to give the responders some working room as well as to protect the integrity of the investigation and privacy of the victim and family.

As reported in PEOPLE, "I don't believe she would ever want her children to go through what they're going through right now," Leal said, I think CP parked at a busy, public location where she believed her vehicle would be located very soon. I agree with the ME that CP likely succumbed to hyperthermia (heatstroke).

Bexar County Medical Examiner has not yet declared an official cause of death but told the outlet she appears to have died from hyperthermia or overheating.

A tragedy for the young mother, her children, family, and friends. Wishing them comfort and healing in the days ahead.

Texas mom Christina Powell was at mall half hour after leaving home — but wasn’t discovered for 3 weeks

Powell left her San Antonio home quickly around 10:30 a.m. on July 5 after telling her mother she was late for work at her paralegal job, according to police and doorbell footage.

nypost.com

I hope they examine her heart thoroughly. I have a friend who, about 10 years ago, had no prior indicators and suddenly had a very serious heart attack that required stints and monitoring. Without a quick response, it likely would have taken his life. It was a congenital defect that he knew nothing about until the heart attack. Just thinking...

 

[GoBuckeyes]

@steeltowngirl I tried to find your post above to comment below it. Thank you for sharing. Sending big hugs. I appreciate your thoughts; they really resonated with me.

 

[Seattle1]

Thank you for sharing this. That makes sense about the blood pressure dropping. I wish we knew more about her medical condition(s).

^^RSBBM

It really should not be a surprise that CP was later described as having a medical condition requiring treatment. Her sister has since described CP as struggling mentally:

... in announcing her death on Facebook yesterday, signaled that she had been having mental health problems.

When an adult goes missing and there's no evidence or reason to believe they are a victim of a crime, LE is usually quick to suggest the adult person is voluntarily missing or wanted some time alone, which is not a crime and happens every day.

However, if the family tells authorities she takes anti-depressants/anxiety Rx and left their Rx behind, the case will typically be upgraded to an endangered missing adult.

How did Chrissy Powell's car go unnoticed in parking lot for a week?

Powell, a 39-year-old paralegal and mother-of-two, vanished from her home on July 5. Eerie Ring camera footage showed her rushing out of her home with her purse slung under one shoulder.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Sundog]

Just my opinion and thoughts.

I have a friend who was a heavy drinker back in the day. Sometimes she would drink till she passed out sleeping. And woke up the next day late for work. Always rushing out the door. But technically still intoxicated. (she is in recovery now 10 years).

I know people that take sleeping pills specifically ambien and still can't function properly the next day. Some people wake up and have no memory of thier day from Ambien. Or sleep walk.

I look at her behavior that morning - leaving the phone /rushing out the door/wobbly as she exits her home (on the door cam video) - I can't help but think some kind of impairment. Which led her to pull over to get a coffee or was so impaired it may have hendered her thinking and she just pulled over and fell asleep to never wake up.

It happens.

It may not be the case but it wouldn't suprise me if something was in her system and it was an unintentional death.

I know the we will fnd out soon enough.

I am leaning this way, also.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Thank you @Friday Fan for getting out to the site and bringing us detailed info!

Now I’m curious about the cameras. Would the cameras each work individually and stay steadily focused on one spot, or would a central mall system monitor different locations on a rolling timed basis? I ask this as they’ve said no one entered or exited the car, but if the monitoring system would move from one store camera to another camera throughout the day, there could be some gaps.

Glad the medical examiner has ordered further testing. If Chrissy passed from hyperthermia, something caused her to slip into a level of deep sleep or unconsciousness that rendered her unaware / unable to exit the hot car.

jmo

 

[orchidaceaes]

I have panic attacks and have not fainted with one. However I do think some folks will hyperventilate during attacks which will cause fainting.
Another thing is vasovagal-syncope. This can cause fainting. People who have it have different triggers, sight of blood, too much exercise, stress. It causes your blood pressure and heart beat to drop. My best friend’s daughter has this. When you start to feel faint you are suppose to lay down and raise your legs.
Not saying this is what happened but could be why she was in the passenger seat, to lower the seat and raise her knees up which would be harder in the drivers seat. But you do not need any medication for this condition. MOO
Edit but me. Clarity

The accidental theory makes the most sense IMO as opposed to the intentional or foul play theories. Many things can make people feel faint or like they need to lie down, which I usually do in the back or passenger seat to avoid pushing anything in the driver's seat. I've fainted twice because I get overheated from hot flashes caused by Graves' Disease (not trying to diagnose her, just saying that being too hot can cause fainting which could lead to hyperthermia in this instance). To me, what's the most suspicious about this whole thing is how long it took to find her in what seems to be such a busy area.

 

[happyday]

Just my opinion and thoughts.

I have a friend who was a heavy drinker back in the day. Sometimes she would drink till she passed out sleeping. And woke up the next day late for work. Always rushing out the door. But technically still intoxicated. (she is in recovery now 10 years).

I know people that take sleeping pills specifically ambien and still can't function properly the next day. Some people wake up and have no memory of thier day from Ambien. Or sleep walk.

I look at her behavior that morning - leaving the phone /rushing out the door/wobbly as she exits her home (on the door cam video) - I can't help but think some kind of impairment. Which led her to pull over to get a coffee or was so impaired it may have hendered her thinking and she just pulled over and fell asleep to never wake up.

It happens.

It may not be the case but it wouldn't suprise me if something was in her system and it was an unintentional death.

I know the we will fnd out soon enough.

I’ve been wondering about this as well. I think it’s a good possibility.