Nearly a week has passed since 19-year-old Camila Olmos was last seen, prompting her family and friends to resume searches near her home on Monday morning.
Olmos was last seen leaving her home in the 11,000 block of Caspian Springs on around 7 a.m. Christmas Eve, captured on home surveillance video just before 7 a.m. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says newly discovered dash cam video shows Camilla walking along Wildhorse Parkway around two blocks from her home the morning she disappeared.
Sheriff Salazar said in an update on Monday afternoon, the new video provides the best “direction of flight” for Camila on the morning she disappeared.
Her mother told authorities she often went on early morning walks, but this time she never returned. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office says there have been no confirmed sightings since, and deputies are urging residents to review doorbell and surveillance footage. The FBI has since joined the search. Sheriff Salazar said Bexar County cadets and mounted patrols are also assisting.
Camila’s father said the past several days have been devastating.
“I’m feeling down, devastated,” he said. “The only thing keeping me going is my faith — God, men of faith, and all the support from the community, churches, and family. The prayers are what keep me strong.”
He described his daughter as a “daddy’s girl,” saying it was normal for her to tell him she loved him, even the day before she disappeared.
“She came in and told me she loved me, but that was usual,” he said. “She was always like that. Nothing felt awkward or different. She’s not the type of person who would just leave like this.”
Investigators also confirmed Camilla had been dealing with personal stress, including school-related issues and a recent mutual breakup. Sheriff Salazar said they are still considering several theories in Camila’s disappearance. They also confirmed Homeland Security is helping out with checking outbound flights, border crossings, just in case.
Sheriff’s officials have acknowledged Olmos has a reported history of suicidal thoughts, but her father says she had no history of depression or mental health struggles.
“She was athletic, worked out, walked, rode her bike, very humble, very caring,” he said. “She always put others before herself.”
Family members from across the country and from Mexico have traveled to San Antonio to help search, while volunteers continue canvassing neighborhoods and posting missing-person flyers. Olmos’ father said hearing that the FBI is involved has given him renewed hope.
“That’s good news from investigators,” he said. “We’re going to find her. She’s going to come home safe.”
Holding back emotion, he delivered a message directly to his daughter.
“If she’s listening, Daddy’s here waiting,” he said. “We’re not mad. We just want her to come home. It hurts, it breaks my heart, but my faith and the prayers are holding me up.”
Friends of Olmos, who have known her since childhood, gathered at Wildhorse HOA Sports Park to search for her, filled with emotion and heartbreak. “We walked every single day. It’s crazy how the one time she went by herself, she didn’t come back,” one friend said.
Expressing the urgency of the situation: “I just want Cami home.” They urged anyone with information to come forward, saying, “If anyone knows where she is, just bring her home. You don’t have to say anything. You can just drop her off anywhere.”
Hector Bruno, a friend of Camila’s father who has known her since she was seven, believes a piece of the puzzle is missing in her disappearance. “If he was my daughter, I would like to find her also. I have grandkids and I take it personal and I pray to God that she comes alive and just please give her up. Let’s stop the suffering,” he said.
Friends and family vow to continue their search until Camila is brought back home.
Anyone with information on Camila Olmos’ whereabouts is urged to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office at 210-335-6000. Residents in the area are urged to check their cameras for any footage that may have captured Camila on the day she went missing.