Human remains identified in DeWitt County

DEWITT COUNTY, Texas - Authorities have identified human remains found in DeWitt County.

Skeletal remains were discovered on February 23, 2021, around Cabeza Road and John Pokluda, just outside the Nordheim community. The remains were sent to the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University for identification. On March 24, 2024, they were identified as Maria Bernada Chavez de Vargas, 48, of San Salvador. A forensic report found no signs of foul play.

Authorities reported that de Vargas last spoke to her family on September 11, 2017, letting them know she was in Texas and would be in Houston in a few days. When her family did not hear back from her, they reported her as a missing person in their home country.

Authorities believe de Vargas was being smuggled from San Salvador to Houston at the time of her death. The DeWitt County Sheriff's Office, along with other agencies, is continuing to investigate her death.

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