A Dallas woman fell into a manhole and drowned in the sewer. Her daughter wants answers.
DALLAS — A Dallas woman said her mom tragically died after she fell into a manhole. Her body was found days later, miles away.
Now, she wants answers.
"She was my mom," Cynthia Gonzales said. "She was always there for anybody."
Cynthia Gonzales said that as Teresa Gonzales' only child, this time of year was always special.
"I missed her most on Sunday when it was my birthday," she said. "She always found a way to call me or get me something, even if it was small. She always said that she just wanted me to be happy."
Cynthia Gonzales said her 66-year-old mom walked everywhere, and since her eyesight was bad, rode the bus.
On Oct. 22, a Tuesday, Teresa Gonzales went missing between 7 and 9 a.m.
Cynthia Gonzales said she later learned witnesses reported seeing a woman fall into a manhole located at 1500 Record Crossing Road in Dallas and called 911. This was close to a bus stop a couple of miles from her mother's home.
On Oct. 25, three days later, her mother's body was recovered almost 10 miles away in a sewer plant.
"I didn't understand how it happened," Cynthia Gonzales said. "I didn't understand why it happened. I couldn't wrap my head around it. I still can't. I still can't wrap my head around it."
Now, Dallas police are investigating.
"The quote from the detective was even if Michael Phelps had fallen in, he would've drowned as well," Ramez Shamieh, Cynthia Gonzales' attorney, said.
Looking to sue the City of Dallas and construction companies
They said they've submitted multiple open records requests, are looking for witnesses and plan to sue whoever they find responsible. They're looking at the City of Dallas and possible construction companies working in the area.
"It just hurts because nobody should have to go through that, nobody," Cynthia Gonzales said. "I don't care who you are. Nobody should have to feel that."
She said there needs to be accountability.
CBS News Texas reached out to the City of Dallas for comment, but so far has not heard back.
