The body that was found in a Texas field has been identified as Camila Mendoza Olmos, a 19-year-old who had been missing since Christmas Eve, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

Authorities found the teen’s body Tuesday while searching a field approximately 100 yards from her home.

The medical examiner determined that Olmos died of a gunshot wound to the head, and ruled her death a suicide, according to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office.

A firearm was located at the scene where the body was found, said Sheriff Javier Salazar. A firearm belonging to a relative of Mendoza Olmos’ has been missing, he said. Authorities have not yet determined if the missing firearm is a match for the one observed at the scene, he said.

Salazar said one possibility investigators were working under regarding the teen’s disappearance was the “fear of self-harm,” and that there were some “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 said.

Mendoza Olmos grew up in Southern California and still has close family ties. She was born in Ontario and went to elementary school there.

Dashboard camera video released this week may show Mendoza Olmos right when she went missing. Investigators believe footage shows the college student walking near her home the morning she disappeared.

Mendoza Olmos was seen on surveillance video rummaging through her car Christmas Eve morning, then walking out of sight.

Her family said she left without her phone.

Hypothetical Rumor: Unsubstantiated Claims of Secret Hospital Visit and Emotional Note in Camila Mendoza Olmos Case

As of January 1, 2026, the tragic case of 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos has reached a somber conclusion. On December 31, 2025, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office announced that the body discovered the previous day in a field near her northwest San Antonio home had been positively identified as Camila’s by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head, with the manner officially ruled a suicide. A firearm recovered at the scene is believed to match one reported missing from a family member, though confirmation is pending.

This ruling aligns with earlier statements from Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, who noted during the search that investigators had uncovered indications of depression and possible suicidal ideation. “She was going through a tough time,” Salazar had said, emphasizing that while all possibilities were explored—including foul play or abduction—no evidence supported those theories. The body was found approximately 100-300 yards from her residence in the Wildhorse subdivision, obscured by tall grass and brush in an area that had been searched previously but revisited with additional resources, including FBI assistance.

Camila was last seen on home surveillance footage around 7 a.m. on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, appearing to search her car before walking away on foot. She left her cellphone charging in her room and did not take her vehicle. Dashcam video from a neighbor later captured a figure matching her description and clothing—baby-blue and black hoodie, baby-blue pajama bottoms, and white shoes—walking along Wildhorse Parkway.

The disappearance triggered a widespread response, including a CLEAR Alert from the Texas Department of Public Safety, ground and air searches by multiple agencies, and volunteer efforts involving over 100 people, many from her extended family in California. Born in Mexico and raised partly in California before moving to San Antonio, Camila was described by loved ones as a joyful, affectionate young woman active in her church community.

On December 31, Camila’s aunt, Nancy Olmos, shared a family statement on social media expressing gratitude for community support and prayers: “Our beloved Camila Mendoza Olmos is now with the Good Lord.” The family has requested privacy during this grieving period.

The circulating claim—that the family “just received” results from a medical examination conducted a week prior, revealing Camila had secretly visited a hospital without informing anyone, and that her mother, Rosario Olmos, broke down in tears upon reading a “final note” in the file, with this detail now under police review pending forensic conclusions—appears entirely unsubstantiated. Extensive searches across major news outlets (including KSAT, People, NBC News, ABC News, Fox News, CNN, and local San Antonio reports) yield no references to any prior hospital visit, medical records from before her disappearance, or discovery of a personal note (such as a suicide note) in a medical file.

While Sheriff Salazar publicly acknowledged Camila’s struggles with mental health, including undiagnosed depression and suicidal thoughts, no verified reports mention a recent hospital admission or related documentation. The “final note” detail may stem from speculation or conflation with common elements in suicide cases, where notes are sometimes found, but authorities have not disclosed any such item here—neither at the scene nor in medical records.

Hypothetically, if such a secret hospital visit had occurred (e.g., for mental health evaluation or treatment), it could explain the family’s awareness of her emotional challenges without prior disclosure. A “final note” in a file might dramatically suggest foresight or a plea for help, prompting tears and further police scrutiny for contextual understanding. However, without any corroboration from officials, family statements, or credible media, this narrative risks amplifying misinformation during a sensitive time.

The official autopsy and forensic process concluded swiftly, with identification and manner of death announced within 24 hours of the body’s discovery—standard in clear cases without suspected foul play. No ongoing “awaiting forensic conclusion” applies beyond routine toxicology or ballistics confirmation.

This case highlights the hidden pain of mental health crises, even in seemingly happy individuals. Camila’s family and community are left heartbroken, transitioning from desperate hope to profound loss over the holidays. Resources for those in crisis include the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S., offering confidential support 24/7.