Body of Texas girl missing from church found in well; relative held
BULLARD, Texas — Investigators say a 10-year-old East Texas girl reported missing from church has been found dead in a water well and a relative was held as the lone suspect in the slaying.
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith says firefighters Sunday recovered the body of Kayla Gomez-Orozco of Tyler from a well beside a home near Bullard.
Authorities say Gustavo Zavala-Garcia is the only suspect in the 10-year-old’s death. The Dallas Morning News reports that Zavala-Garcia is Kayla’s uncle. Smith says the suspect has been jailed without bond on a federal immigration hold.
Kayla was last seen Tuesday night at a church in Bullard, 100 miles southeast of Dallas. Smith says the investigation led to the relative’s home several miles away. The body was located Saturday.
The Amber Alert for the missing 10-year-old was discontinued Saturday evening after the discovery of the body.
FBI agents had recently called for the public’s assistance in the search efforts and even offered a $60,000 reward for her return.
Smith declined to release a cause of death or a possible motive, pending charges.