New evidence came to light in a five-year-old cold case Wednesday when divers pulled the vehicle of a missing woman from the Brazos River in Texas, recovering a bone fragment inside that finally could answer some of her family's questions.
Stephanie Torres, 43, of Waco, was last seen December 20, 2017, as she drove away from home in her Kia Rio. She had attempted suicide earlier that day by trying to throw herself from a bridge. Her family unsuccessfully tried to block the driveway and prevent her from leaving.
Torres' family watched Wednesday as the Kia Rio, which did not have a license plate, was dragged to shore. It is believed to be her car, which had distinctive damage to the bumper, according to KWTX. Human remains also were recovered and are currently undergoing forensic testing.
Stephanie Torres of Waco, 43 (pictured), was last seen on December 20, 2017, by her family as she drove away from her home in her Kia Rio. Police believe that a vehicle dredged from the bottom of the Brazos River and a bone fragment found at the scene are hers
An upside-down Kia Rio, the same make and model as Torres' car, was uncovered on Wednesday about 55 feet from shore and 13 feet underwater in the Brazos River
Torres' family shed tears as a Kia Rio without a license plate, believed to be hers due to a distinctive missing piece of its bumper, was dredged out of the Brazos River on Wednesday
She appeared intoxicated when she left the house for the last time. It wasn't unusual for Torres to go missing for days at a time before returning home, and her family hoped she would do so, but she and her car never came back.
Fibromyalgia dominated Torres' life. Her children remember their mother weeping as she stood under the hot water in the shower each day after work to ease her pain, according to NBC News. Her medications, which she left at home along with her cellphone and wallet, made her depressed.
When the Waco Police Department learned of the extent of Torres' illness, the fact that she left her belongings at home and her family's suspicion of suicide, the investigation into her disappearance waned, said spokesperson officer Garen Bynum.
