“Rosario, I feel you as a parent, and we’re praying for Cami to return back home with her loved ones.”
SAN ANTONIO — Family, friends and community members packed a vigil Saturday night to show support for Camila Mendoza Olmos, who has been missing since Christmas Eve.
The standing-room-only vigil was filled with music, prayers and messages of hope that Mendoza will return home safely. Neighbors and church members gathered to comfort the family and keep attention on the ongoing search.
“I felt that there was a lot of peace, which that’s what God brings us — peace in times like these,” said Yvonne Rodriguez, a community member who attended the vigil.
Rodriguez said she felt compelled to come because she has a daughter the same age as Mendoza and wanted to support Mendoza’s mother, Rosario.
“Rosario, I feel you as a parent, and we’re praying for Cami to return back home with her loved ones,” Rodriguez said.
Mendoza was last seen just before 7 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Surveillance video from a neighbor shows her standing next to her car outside her home on Caspian Spring, but the footage does not show what happened afterward. Her car was left at her home.
Mendoza’s mother told authorities she believed her daughter had gone for a walk. When she did not return, the family contacted law enforcement.
Since then, multiple searches have been conducted in the area.
On Saturday morning, more than 100 volunteers joined deputies to search nearby neighborhoods and open areas.
“It’s being done very methodically, marking off area by area,” said Lori Wittmeyer with Search & Support San Antonio. “We had drones out there today. I know the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has utilized search dogs. Every technology we have is being used to help bring Cami home.”
Saturday’s vigil was organized by Oak Hills Church, who said they wanted to unite the community in prayer for Olmos’ safety and provide support to her family.
Mendoza’s father, Alfonso Mendoza, said the disappearance has been devastating but expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support.
“A little peace, comfort, healing,” he said. “I’m a man of faith, and all these people out here too. We’re doing the prayers, and we believe she’s coming home.”
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is asking neighbors in the area to review home surveillance footage from Christmas Eve morning for any possible sightings of Camila.
Investigators say additional video could help establish a clearer timeline of her disappearance.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office or call 911.