Bexar County deputies discovered Olmos’ body Tuesday afternoon in a field near a landscaping company off FM 1560, not far from her home.
SAN ANTONIO — Authorities have identified the body found in a field in northwest Bexar County this week as 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos, who had been missing since Christmas Eve—the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday.
The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled her death a suicide.
Deputies discovered Olmos’ body Tuesday afternoon in a field near a landscaping company off FM 1560, not far from her home. A gun was found next to her, according to investigators.
Family, friends, volunteers and law enforcement had spent six days searching for Olmos after she disappeared the morning of Christmas Eve.
“I was still holding out hope,” Sheriff Javier Salazar said. “In my gut, I felt like we were going to end up where we are now.”
Investigators said there were indications Mendoza Olmos may have struggled with mental health issues in the past.
“We had some information that there had been some suicidal ideations in the past, some depression issues — undiagnosed, what seemed to be depression issues,” Salazar said.
Mental health advocates say the case underscores a growing crisis, particularly among young people.
Doug Beach, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater San Antonio, said suicide rates are rising nationwide, including in Bexar County.
“Suicide is up across the nation and suicide is up among young people,” Beach said. “One of the things that is alarming is a statistic nationally that about 50% of mental health issues begin by age 14.”
Beach said warning signs of a mental health crisis can include changes in mood or behavior, isolation and substance abuse. He emphasized the importance of early intervention.
“Just like any other illness or any other health condition, the earlier you get help, the better off the outcomes,” Beach said.
NAMI Greater San Antonio operates a free Warm Line, a pre-crisis support line available daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 210-939-9999.
“A lot of times people don’t even know why they are feeling the way they’re feeling — they just know something is wrong,” Beach said. “That’s a good place and time to call the Warm Line.”
The organization also offers mental health education programs for parents and teens and partners with schools and nonprofits. It’s called Bridges to Care San Antonio.
Beach said there is a misconception that young people do not want to talk about suicide or mental health.
“Young people want to talk about their mental health,” he said. “Talking about it actually brings it out in the open.”
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts can call or text the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.