Security guard finds missing mum inside car after 'foul odour' reported
A mother of two has been found dead inside her car three weeks after she was last seen rushing off to work in Texas.
Christina Lee Powell was discovered in the front passenger seat in the car park of a San Antonio shopping centre on Saturday night, just six kilometres from her home.
Police say a security guard had approached the black 2020 Nissan Rogue after realising it had been parked in the same spot for about a week.
After noticing a “foul odour” coming from the vehicle, he found Ms Powell’s body and called 911.
In a statement to Fox News, the San Antonio Police Department said there were no apparent signs of trauma and investigators are working to determine the cause of her death.
A law enforcement source also told the station Ms Powell was alone when she was found and that all of the windows of the car were closed. Police also found Ms Powell’s purse inside the vehicle.
As the US struggles through an ongoing heatwave, temperatures in San Antonio last week reached above 37 degrees most days.
Final video footage of Christina Powell
The 39-year-old, known to her friends as Chrissy, disappeared without a trace on July 5.
A doorbell camera captured her final movements as she hurried off to work after earlier phoning her paralegal job to say that she was running late.
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Friends and family were quick to raise the alarm, noting that Ms Powell had left her mobile phone, Apple watch and important medication behind.
A search for the missing mother was launched three days later.
A family in mourning
Ms Powell’s mother confirmed the news on Facebook on Monday.
“My beautiful daughter, Christine Powell, has been found deceased,” Claudia Mobley wrote.
“I am heartbroken.
“Thank you for all your prayers.”
The mother of two’s sister also paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken and completely devastated,” she wrote online.
“This was not how I hoped and prayed this would end. She will always be my sister and with me in some way.”
“Check on those friends who are going through hard times,” she added.
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