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

[TootsieFootsie]

It's been reported that CP was found in the passenger seat. Her missing person flyer states she was 5' 2". I'm wondering what position the driver seat was in.

Maybe she felt more comfortable without the steering wheel in front of her once she'd parked ?

 

[Seattle1]

And I wonder about waiting 6 months!!!! for toxicology report.

I'm really surprised that it takes soooo long.

But maybe there are not many professionals and there is a queue?

I think it's poor writing here. Toxicology can take up to 6 months. I also think the word here is "self-harm" and not "self-inflicted." MOO

 

[Dotta]

Toxicology can take up to 6 months.

The Truth About Toxicology Tests

The Truth About Toxicology Tests

WebMD sheds light on toxicology tests: What they include, why they take so long, and why they're never perfect.

www.webmd.com

 

[Deleted member 287549]

Although there are areas to sit outside pictured right there, no one is sitting outside right now. Since Chrissy went missing, we haven't had a single day where the high was under 100, many days peaked at 107+ and that's a hot tar parking lot, so it would feel even hotter.

It seems likely that if we were having pleasant weather, and people were lingering out on the patio and benches, she would have been discovered long ago.

Such a sad story.

Agree with this 100%. TX is an oven right now. No one in their right mind would linger in a parking lot during this time, unless they had no choice. And, most people also probably wouldn't pay that much (if any) attention to a car that has been there for a longer-than-normal period of time.

I.e., if you have to walk through a parking lot in the TX summer heat your goal is typically to get to one of these two places, as fast as possible:

1) Your car, or
2) An air-conditioned building.

This holds true even in the evening/night hours, when much of the time it's almost as hot as it is during the day.

 

[mewmew]

I know some people are wondering why she didn’t feel more “hopeful” after getting her new job, but just to put it simply…..depression doesn’t work that way. 3 years ago I woke up late for work at a new job. It was a job I had been at for under two weeks and I was really enjoying it, but was suffering extreme depression.

When I woke up late, I felt like I was already “failing” to be a good employee. I was also struggling with substance abuse, so had a drink before leaving for work to ease my anxiety about being late. I made it all the way to the parking lot of work before I realized that I just couldn’t do it. I gave up. It was too much to face. It was just one small thing, but in the depths of my depression, it felt insurmountable. I drove away to a strip mall parking lot where my car wouldn’t be suspicious, called an Uber to take me back home (I was scared to continue to drive after drinking), shut my phone off, went back home and nearly drank myself to death. My employer did call LE, who did a wellness check and got me medical attention, but had that not been done I may have likely died (either from alcohol or self inflicted) and there would’ve been the same questions as here — why did she say she was on her way to work, how did her car end up over there, why was she sad when she had a good new job, etc. Unfortunately sometimes the answers won’t make sense to anyone except the person going through them in that moment.

So sad for Chrissy and her family.

(This is all MOO)

 

[bestill]

I know some people are wondering why she didn’t feel more “hopeful” after getting her new job, but just to put it simply…..depression doesn’t work that way. 3 years ago I woke up late for work at a new job. It was a job I had been at for under two weeks and I was really enjoying it, but was suffering extreme depression.

When I woke up late, I felt like I was already “failing” to be a good employee. I was also struggling with substance abuse, so had a drink before leaving for work to ease my anxiety about being late. I made it all the way to the parking lot of work before I realized that I just couldn’t do it. I gave up. It was too much to face. It was just one small thing, but in the depths of my depression, it felt insurmountable. I drove away to a strip mall parking lot where my car wouldn’t be suspicious, called an Uber to take me back home (I was scared to continue to drive after drinking), shut my phone off, went back home and nearly drank myself to death. My employer did call LE, who did a wellness check and got me medical attention, but had that not been done I may have likely died (either from alcohol or self inflicted) and there would’ve been the same questions as here — why did she say she was on her way to work, how did her car end up over there, why was she sad when she had a good new job, etc. Unfortunately sometimes the answers won’t make sense to anyone except the person going through them in that moment.

So sad for Chrissy and her family.

(This is all MOO)

So thankful that you found your way out of that darkness. Thank you for sharing.

 

[mewmew]

So thankful that you found your way out of that darkness. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks sober, properly medicated, and happy. I understand that for so many, that doesn’t end up being the case. I so wish Chrissy’s case had a happy ending.

 

[carbuff]

I know some people are wondering why she didn’t feel more “hopeful” after getting her new job, but just to put it simply…..depression doesn’t work that way. 3 years ago I woke up late for work at a new job. It was a job I had been at for under two weeks and I was really enjoying it, but was suffering extreme depression.

When I woke up late, I felt like I was already “failing” to be a good employee. I was also struggling with substance abuse, so had a drink before leaving for work to ease my anxiety about being late. I made it all the way to the parking lot of work before I realized that I just couldn’t do it. I gave up. It was too much to face. It was just one small thing, but in the depths of my depression, it felt insurmountable. I drove away to a strip mall parking lot where my car wouldn’t be suspicious, called an Uber to take me back home (I was scared to continue to drive after drinking), shut my phone off, went back home and nearly drank myself to death. My employer did call LE, who did a wellness check and got me medical attention, but had that not been done I may have likely died (either from alcohol or self inflicted) and there would’ve been the same questions as here — why did she say she was on her way to work, how did her car end up over there, why was she sad when she had a good new job, etc. Unfortunately sometimes the answers won’t make sense to anyone except the person going through them in that moment.

So sad for Chrissy and her family.

(This is all MOO)

Yeah. Depression is...not what people think it is. I'm glad you made it out.

 

[katsrfun]

I am sorry for this lady, whether intentional or not. I am, unfortunately, one of those people who are habitually late for everything. I don't do it intentionally, as I am getting ready I find 1,000 other things to do. However, when I start to realize I am not going to make it wherever on time, I start getting very hot and sweating, which makes matters worse. I try to cool off so I can put on my makeup and dry my hair, which then makes me more nervous and also even later. I have quit a job because I was late so often, I couldn't take the thought of one more day of going in late. I didn't really ever think of harming myself, but it was very, very depressing to me, who was already depressed. I can see where she may have been very upset at being late for a brand new job, and we don't know what other stressors she was under. But, I wish she could have found help; it seems her employer was very understanding. But my employer never really got upset at me, but to me, it was very upsetting and unsettling. God Bless all of her family and loved ones. Katt

 

[Sundog]

Chrissy started as a temp at the law firm? Was she with an employment agency?

I posted earlier that her employer made her permanent, I meant to say that they made her full-time. She started out part-time, but they made her full-time, they liked her so much.

EBM

 

[fred&edna]

I was following another missing person case here on WS. He was found (deceased) in the backseat of his car in a hospital parking lot - about 8 days after last having been seen.

Found Deceased - MO - Brian Byrd, 50, lawyer, drove away from home, Lake Ozark, 10 Jul 2022

LAKE OZARK, Mo. (KMIZ) Law enforcement is searching for Brian Byrd, 50, of Lake Ozark. Byrd was last seen in a black Lexus on Sunday leaving his residence off of Sweetwater Dr in Lake Ozark in Camden County. The vehicle has a Missouri license plate EBOZ4G. He was last seen wearing a light blue...

www.websleuths.com

 

[Kapua]

I'm still of the strong opinion that this death was very possibly heat stroke-related and/or because of some other medical issue/problem she was experiencing. She may have had a medical condition that - combined with the excessive heat - caused her unfortunate passing. And, it's worth noting that even people that are young & healthy can & do succumb to heat stroke.

Her being in the passenger seat is not necessarily suspicious or indicative that someone else "moved" here there, etc. As has been mentioned, she possibly moved herself into the passenger seat for whatever reason - maybe she was looking for something in her glove compartment or under the seat(s), etc. I know that I myself have needed to sit in my passenger seat (in my parked car) if I needed to look for something specific, etc. There have been several times over the years when something I needed has fallen in between the seat(s) and it's tough to locate, etc.

If she had signs of physical trauma on her body I would agree that foul play may have been involved. However, given that wasn't the case - I really don't believe that's what happened here.

This all being said, I do think it's somewhat unusual that she didn't at least open a door or window to get some relief - if she had actually parked her car so she could look for something inside/between the seats, etc. That also being said, it's possible that she was planning on opening a door/window & passed out before she was able to.

RIP Chrissy and sincere condolences to her family and friends. I spent one July in the Dallas area for a training class. I have experienced the Texas summer heat and can't imagine anyone sitting in a car with the engine off and windows rolled up for more than half a minute. I agree that she may have passed out before she had a chance to open a door or window. She may also have accidentally taken a second or third dose of whatever medication she was taking, which may have led to her passing out. I feel so bad for her loved ones.

 

[DeDee]

It is sad about Chrissy. We don't know much. She was a mom of two boys. She lived with her mother who is feeling broken over the tragedy. July 4 was a difficult anniversary for Chrissy.

Employees at the law firm thought enough of Chrissy, after knowing her a couple of weeks, to check on her and so they did at 1:30pm at her home address. Her son told them his mom was at work but she wasn't. Ouch.

In a cool parked car, I can walk around the car in order to enter the passenger's seat for a few minutes. Did she need the xtra space to do something like remove her sandals? She didn't have her phone or apple watch. I'd be so lost. Was Chrissy wearing sunglasses? It's only a few minutes drive to her home from where she parked her black SUV.

She had a medical emergency and was found 3 weeks later still in the passenger's seat. RIP Chrissy

 

[spangled]

I wonder if she parked in the passenger seat so she couldn't be tempted to turn the ignition and air con on

 

[Seattle1]

I wonder if she parked in the passenger seat so she couldn't be tempted to turn the ignition and air con on

Not saying that alcohol was involved here but when I first read that the driver's seat was empty and that CP was intentionally found seated in the passenger seat, I recalled that Texas is one of the states that permits an open container beverage in the passenger area of a stopped vehicle that is not paused on a public highway/roadway.

Just the same, a driver slumped over the wheel would most likely be a cause for concern whereas an individual in the passenger area would not likely bring the same kind of attention. JMO

Open Container and Consumption Statutes

 

[nightowl1975]

I don't know what to make of that article...


Are they claiming that "heat exhaustion" fits under the umbrella of "self-inflicted"?

I suppose she could’ve taken enough of assorted medications or drugs that knocked her out to the point that she didn’t arouse once the vehicle was hot enough to kill her.

 

[NeverPersonal]

Yeah. Depression is...not what people think it is. I'm glad you made it out.

So true. I've been in a bad depressive spiral for the past 2 years, and it takes everything in me just to leave the apartment these days. And people will say, "Oh come on! Just get out there!" It's laughable. I've spent time in the psych ward 5 times due to severe anxiety & depression. I am praying for Chrissy's soul and her family. Depression really is no joke.

If her fate is what I think it is, I've almost done the same thing a handful of times (hop in car, find somewhere to hide, phone turned off, etc). There are places and people who will help you if you ever feel this way. Suicide is the final symptom of depression which is why it's so important not to brush it off as "it's not that bad" because waiting for it to indeed get "bad" can have very serious, permanent consequences. (and yes, this is do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do lol)

 

[steeltowngirl]

So true. I've been in a bad depressive spiral for the past 2 years, and it takes everything in me just to leave the apartment these days. And people will say, "Oh come on! Just get out there!" It's laughable. I've spent time in the psych ward 5 times due to severe anxiety & depression. I am praying for Chrissy's soul and her family. Depression really is no joke.

If her fate is what I think it is, I've almost done the same thing a handful of times (hop in car, find somewhere to hide, phone turned off, etc). There are places and people who will help you if you ever feel this way. Suicide is the final symptom of depression which is why it's so important not to brush it off as "it's not that bad" because waiting for it to indeed get "bad" can have very serious, permanent consequences.

I know I can’t understand exactly what you’re going through. And it doesn’t really matter what experiences I’ve had or how similar they might be to yours. We are individuals, and we are different.

I don’t know you, but I am glad you are here, on earth, and sharing your experience with us on the threads. You don’t need to get out there if you just cannot. Just keep on staying here with us.

 

[NeverPersonal]

I know I can’t understand exactly what you’re going through. And it doesn’t really matter what experiences I’ve had or how similar they might be to yours. We are individuals, and we are different.

I don’t know you, but I am glad you are here, on earth, and sharing your experience with us on the threads. You don’t need to get out there if you just cannot. Just keep on staying here with us.

Such kindness. Thank you so much. It really does mean a lot to me.

 

[happyday]

Agree, and also this was a huge parking lot with numerous businesses and cars parked at all hours and businesses closing at different hours. Walmart, in contrast, is one business with set hours, and hires its own security guards.

I agree. I am from the area and have been to this parking lot many times, and it Is HUGE. It’s not like a suburban Walmart with one lot. It is very sprawling for blocks and blocks, very urban,very busy shopping center right off I 10. Not to mention all the other businesses all around up and down I 10. It has businesses of all kinds, including restaurants and bars that would be open late. Some stores and breakfast restaurants open very early. There are ALWAYS lots of cars parked in various places all hours. I actually don’t think I’ve even seen a security guard driving around there. Maybe I have in the past, but not often if ever.
I am absolutely not surprised she wasn’t discovered earlier, and I won’t be surprised if her car was there the whole time. And I don’t blame anybody for that really. It would have been nice obviously if a security guard or police officer had happened to notice and check earlier, but why would they? Zillions of businesses in this huge center, busy all the time, many cars there all the time. If the car wasn’t suspicious in any way, and that area wasn’t specifically in an area they were really concentrating their search, who is going to notice a car parked just like many others? People getting in and out of cars next to her wouldn’t have had reason to scrutinize the car parked next to them. Everybody is always in a hurry, running their errands. And it’s HOT. No one is lingering in the parking lot for sure.

If this was self inflicted, she probably just didn’t want her family to be the ones to find her. She knew she’d be discovered at some point. It’s so sad.
My two cents just knowing this area well.