Found Deceased TX - Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, last seen on Christmas eve, San Antonio, 24 Dec 2025

[Ghostwheel]

I have a question (real question). If she was suspected of having a firearm in her possession, why wouldn't LE say so?

Does anyone have any theories on why this was not made known? What was the purpose of LE not disclosing that a firearm was also missing so people could be careful on the off chance they encountered her? (No bashing anyone please, I am just looking for something that makes sense)

 

[Friday Fan]

I don't want to sound cold and focus just on the logistics of Camila's death, but I am curious as to her route to the Burning Bush business. A direct route appears to take her down Palamino, then Pony Gate, Mustang and then the small driveway/road into the industrial area/open parklands. However, we do know she was seen on dash cam on the bend of Wildhorse Parkway. Perhaps she was wandering, somewhat aimlessly whilst trying to work up the courage to do it, or deciding on the best place. Burning Bush opens at 8am, but it's hard to tell if the location she was found was close to where workers may have been. If only she'd kept walking to a police station, health clinic, or back home to her mum and asked for help. It's such a fine line dealing with those with mental health issues. You don't want to add to their stress by continually pressing for answers or asking how they are, but yet you can't stand by and leave them to manage, knowing that suicide is always out there, even if you never think a loved one will do it. Sadly, I just don't see a way to break the cycle of people claiming they're OK, or working through some issues, maybe even appearing happy and full of life and then ending their life. There just seems too much shame, or whatever it may be, that stops people reaching out. Then there is of course the fact that help is not easy to get & cost prohibitive too. I don't know how to fix it and it's heartbreaking. So many lost souls, gone forever.

A culvert across the street from her house. There is a larger one a few blocks over. For some reason the only Streetview image of the larger culvert is from 2007. However, the map shows that it is still there. The larger ditch is on Mustang Rise

 

[SimplyCass]

I have a question (real question). If she was suspected of having a firearm in her possession, why wouldn't LE say so?

Does anyone have any theories on why this was not made known? What was the purpose of LE not disclosing that a firearm was also missing so people could be careful on the off chance they encountered her? (No bashing anyone please, I am just looking for something that makes sense)

To back up a bit, did (whoever owned it) report it as missing? And that Camila might have done it or use a firearm?

I'm genuinely not sure if they could have connected the two.

 

[Ghostwheel]

To back up a bit, did (whoever owned it) report it as missing? And that Camila might have done it or use a firearm?

I'm genuinely not sure if they could have connected the two.

I was going by the press release that stated a relative had a missing firearm when they confirmed "a body" was found with a firearm nearby. That sounded like they had already connected it, but maybe the connection didn't happen until they found a body with a firearm near it. Good point.

 

[Seattle1]

I have a question (real question). If she was suspected of having a firearm in her possession, why wouldn't LE say so?

Does anyone have any theories on why this was not made known? What was the purpose of LE not disclosing that a firearm was also missing so people could be careful on the off chance they encountered her? (No bashing anyone please, I am just looking for something that makes sense)

I believe this issue was best addressed by the Sheriff at his last press conference.

While there was a risk of some random party finding the weapon and taking it from the death scene, IMO, Camila was not a threat to anyone but herself.

 

[SMK777]

I have a question (real question). If she was suspected of having a firearm in her possession, why wouldn't LE say so?

Does anyone have any theories on why this was not made known? What was the purpose of LE not disclosing that a firearm was also missing so people could be careful on the off chance they encountered her? (No bashing anyone please, I am just looking for something that makes sense)

It's a legitimate question, certainly, and although I understand why the Sheriff said Camila was a danger to herself only, it still would have seemed proactive to have mentioned it.

Or, as the poster above observed, the firearm was not known to be missing until sadly it was found with the deceased.

 

[slowpoke]

I don't want to sound cold and focus just on the logistics of Camila's death, but I am curious as to her route to the Burning Bush business. A direct route appears to take her down Palamino, then Pony Gate, Mustang and then the small driveway/road into the industrial area/open parklands. However, we do know she was seen on dash cam on the bend of Wildhorse Parkway. Perhaps she was wandering, somewhat aimlessly whilst trying to work up the courage to do it, or deciding on the best place. Burning Bush opens at 8am, but it's hard to tell if the location she was found was close to where workers may have been. If only she'd kept walking to a police station, health clinic, or back home to her mum and asked for help. It's such a fine line dealing with those with mental health issues. You don't want to add to their stress by continually pressing for answers or asking how they are, but yet you can't stand by and leave them to manage, knowing that suicide is always out there, even if you never think a loved one will do it. Sadly, I just don't see a way to break the cycle of people claiming they're OK, or working through some issues, maybe even appearing happy and full of life and then ending their life. There just seems too much shame, or whatever it may be, that stops people reaching out. Then there is of course the fact that help is not easy to get & cost prohibitive too. I don't know how to fix it and it's heartbreaking. So many lost souls, gone forever.

Before her body was found but after the dashcam video on Wildhorse Pkwy was released by the Sheriff’s Dept, Camila’s father said he didn’t think that was Camila in that video (link):

“Camila's Olmos’ father says the video being circulated is not his daughter.

“Oh, it ain't her. She's a thin young lady,” said Alfonso Mendoza.”

So, maybe she wasn’t on Wildhorse Pkwy?

 

[Kittypoo]

I have a question (real question). If she was suspected of having a firearm in her possession, why wouldn't LE say so?

Does anyone have any theories on why this was not made known? What was the purpose of LE not disclosing that a firearm was also missing so people could be careful on the off chance they encountered her? (No bashing anyone please, I am just looking for something that makes sense)

Could it be that people in the neighbourhood may panic? I’m just making a suggestion here imo

 

[Ghostwheel]

Could it be that people in the neighbourhood may panic? I’m just making a suggestion here imo

Is that a valid reason not to mention it if it were known, though? I rather like the idea that it wasn't until they found a body with a firearm. Then LE might have asked if anyone in the family had seen the firearm and that was when they discovered it missing. I just took a different impression from the press release, but perhaps I was wrong.

Thank you for the thought.

 

[DS2021]

From September 2024

Women are increasingly using firearms in suicide deaths, CDC data reveals

Suicide deaths have risen for more than two decades, reaching rates the U.S. has not seen since the Great Depression.

www.usatoday.com

The CDC report published Thursday, however, found firearms were the leading means of suicide for women since 2020, and suicide deaths overall among women also increased.

 

[HoneyBunOne]

^^bbm

In the last press conference by Sheriff Salazar, he indicated the body was located very close to her home -- in tall grass about 100 yards away, and not likely a path that triggered surveillance.

Also, we recently heard from Camila's father that the image seen on the dash cam on Wildhorse Pkwy was not his daughter Camila.

12/30/25

Camila's Olmos’ father says the video being circulated is not his daughter​

View attachment 634236

12/31/25

Authorities found her body in a field on Tuesday afternoon, approximately 100 yards from Mendoza Olmos' home, in northwest Bexar County, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. The area had been previously searched, though authorities with the sheriff's office and FBI were back on Tuesday, Salazar said. The field has tall grass, and authorities felt there would be a benefit to check it again, he said.

MSM/ABC News

I thought it was the still photo of her at the car that her father claimed wasn't her?

I have a question (real question). If she was suspected of having a firearm in her possession, why wouldn't LE say so?

Does anyone have any theories on why this was not made known? What was the purpose of LE not disclosing that a firearm was also missing so people could be careful on the off chance they encountered her? (No bashing anyone please, I am just looking for something that makes sense)

I personally feel that police were probably heavily leaning into the suicide theory and felt she wasn't a danger to anyone else. If they released the information that she was armed it would create a panic amongst locals, family and friends (obviously close family would already know that a firearm was missing). It could also mean many people would give up looking for her, or not check camera footage or keep an eye out for her, as some people seem to dismiss missing people if they feel they chose to take their own life. Whilst she was a missing & vulnerable person, perhaps at the mercy of someone else, people feel for her and her family: they offer to search, help put up posters, share on social media, check camera footage etc. If they feel she's gone off to end her life, or already has, the concern tends to get lost. Until police knew for sure that she had died at her own hand, they had to keep all avenues open, and that means managing the public and releasing only the information that would help find her.

Before her body was found but after the dashcam video on Wildhorse Pkwy was released by the Sheriff’s Dept, Camila’s father said he didn’t think that was Camila in that video (link):

“Camila's Olmos’ father says the video being circulated is not his daughter.

“Oh, it ain't her. She's a thin young lady,” said Alfonso Mendoza.”

So, maybe she wasn’t on Wildhorse Pkwy?

I thought it was believed to be her, and that her father didn't think the ring doorbell pic was her? I'm not sure if it's clear anywhere which image he was talking about, or have I missed an article or two?

As for both the still image and dash cam footage, neither are great quality. The still image is far away, with her back to the camera. Yes, it tends to look more like a man's stance, but that doesn't rule out it being Camila. The appearance of black pants and no white shoes could be just shadows, or maybe at that point she was wearing long pants that covered her shoes. The dash cam footage seems almost stretched and quite grainy, however even the most petite person looks chunky in a hoodie. Her legs may look bigger than they are due to her movement not being captured well.

All MOO.

 

[Gemmie]

I am curious as to her route to the Burning Bush business. A direct route appears to take her down Palamino, then Pony Gate, Mustang and then the small driveway/road into the industrial area/open parklands. However, we do know she was seen on dash cam on the bend of Wildhorse Parkway. Perhaps she was wandering, somewhat aimlessly whilst trying to work up the courage to do it, or deciding on the best place. Burning Bush opens at 8am, but it's hard to tell if the location she was found was close to where workers may have been.

BBMFF

I haven't, nor am I sleuthing family. I did want to say that when I read "it's hard to tell if the location she was found was close to where workers may have been" from your post... my first thought was did an ex-BF work there. Likely it was just a random spot, but your comment did put that thought into my head.

 

[slowpoke]

I thought it was the still photo of her at the car that her father claimed wasn't her?


I personally feel that police were probably heavily leaning into the suicide theory and felt she wasn't a danger to anyone else. If they released the information that she was armed it would create a panic amongst locals, family and friends (obviously close family would already know that a firearm was missing). It could also mean many people would give up looking for her, or not check camera footage or keep an eye out for her, as some people seem to dismiss missing people if they feel they chose to take their own life. Whilst she was a missing & vulnerable person, perhaps at the mercy of someone else, people feel for her and her family: they offer to search, help put up posters, share on social media, check camera footage etc. If they feel she's gone off to end her life, or already has, the concern tends to get lost. Until police knew for sure that she had died at her own hand, they had to keep all avenues open, and that means managing the public and releasing only the information that would help find her.


I thought it was believed to be her, and that her father didn't think the ring doorbell pic was her? I'm not sure if it's clear anywhere which image he was talking about, or have I missed an article or two?

As for both the still image and dash cam footage, neither are great quality. The still image is far away, with her back to the camera. Yes, it tends to look more like a man's stance, but that doesn't rule out it being Camila. The appearance of black pants and no white shoes could be just shadows, or maybe at that point she was wearing long pants that covered her shoes. The dash cam footage seems almost stretched and quite grainy, however even the most petite person looks chunky in a hoodie. Her legs may look bigger than they are due to her movement not being captured well.

All MOO.

You can hear the father here, being interviewed. He is referring to the dashcam video. imo

 

[HMSHood]

I wonder if she had any issues prior to her death. Did anyone notice any behavior changes in Camila Mendoza Olmos?

 

[HoneyBunOne]

You can hear the father here, being interviewed. He is referring to the dashcam video. imo

Thanks for that.
It seems from the interview above that her father doesn't really think the pic or the video is her.

 

[snooptroop88]

I don't want to sound cold and focus just on the logistics of Camila's death, but I am curious as to her route to the Burning Bush business. A direct route appears to take her down Palamino, then Pony Gate, Mustang and then the small driveway/road into the industrial area/open parklands. However, we do know she was seen on dash cam on the bend of Wildhorse Parkway. Perhaps she was wandering, somewhat aimlessly whilst trying to work up the courage to do it, or deciding on the best place. Burning Bush opens at 8am, but it's hard to tell if the location she was found was close to where workers may have been. If only she'd kept walking to a police station, health clinic, or back home to her mum and asked for help. It's such a fine line dealing with those with mental health issues. You don't want to add to their stress by continually pressing for answers or asking how they are, but yet you can't stand by and leave them to manage, knowing that suicide is always out there, even if you never think a loved one will do it. Sadly, I just don't see a way to break the cycle of people claiming they're OK, or working through some issues, maybe even appearing happy and full of life and then ending their life. There just seems too much shame, or whatever it may be, that stops people reaching out. Then there is of course the fact that help is not easy to get & cost prohibitive too. I don't know how to fix it and it's heartbreaking. So many lost souls, gone forever.

Before her body was found but after the dashcam video on Wildhorse Pkwy was released by the Sheriff’s Dept, Camila’s father said he didn’t think that was Camila in that video (link):

“Camila's Olmos’ father says the video being circulated is not his daughter.

“Oh, it ain't her. She's a thin young lady,” said Alfonso Mendoza.”

So, maybe she wasn’t on Wildhorse Pkwy?

Agreed, have been wondering about this and also didn't like to put the focus on the logistics, but I'm curious on that. I thought that was her on Wildhorse, but...? Can't be positive.

 

[Spectrix]

I don't want to sound cold and focus just on the logistics of Camila's death, but I am curious as to her route to the Burning Bush business. A direct route appears to take her down Palamino, then Pony Gate, Mustang and then the small driveway/road into the industrial area/open parklands. However, we do know she was seen on dash cam on the bend of Wildhorse Parkway. Perhaps she was wandering, somewhat aimlessly whilst trying to work up the courage to do it, or deciding on the best place. Burning Bush opens at 8am, but it's hard to tell if the location she was found was close to where workers may have been.

I'm always interested in the logistics and spend time on google maps figuring out routes. It's a distraction from the emotional horror of some of the cases I follow.

Without the possible sighting on Wildhorse Pkwy (which was debunked by her father), Camila's route is far simpler. There's an open drain between her neighbours houses leading directly to the rear of the Burnin' Bush Property. Burnin' Bush has low fences which would be very easy to scale. I doubt there would have been workers there on Christmas Eve.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

That she was self harming and family was aware is disturbing.

Snipped by me.
Where was that information released?

On a different note, she was found in a grassy area not far from home. I am surprised LE did not do a literal grid search there the first time they searched there, simply because it was so close. I know hindsight is 20/20 and shoulder -to- shoulder grid searches are very time-consuming...

 

[Wishbone]

Snipped by me.
Where was that information released?

On a different note, she was found in a grassy area not far from home. I am surprised LE did not do a literal grid search there the first time they searched there, simply because it was so close. I know hindsight is 20/20 and shoulder -to- shoulder grid searches are very time-consuming...

Both cited her unspecified attempts at self-harm and recent insistence on being re-baptized as signs that she had been experiencing emotional distress.

Parents of missing Texas teen clash as new dashcam shows last sighting

The Daily Mail visited the San Antonio home where missing teen Cami Olmos vanished on the morning of Christmas Eve to speak with her parents as new dashcam footage shows her shocking final sighting.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Spectrix]

That she was self harming and family was aware is disturbing.

Snipped by me.
Where was that information released?

From article above -

"Salazar said investigators aren't ruling out suicide, disclosing that Cami had been depressed, grappling with 'undercurrents of suicidal ideation', and engaging in self-harm in the months leading to her disappearance."


Also interesting - from the same article -

'Cami loves God. She loves her mommy, she loves her brother, she loves her family,' added her aunt, Nancy Olmos, with whom the family first lived in San Antonio when they moved from California 13 years ago.
'That's why we know she wouldn't hurt herself.'