UVALDE, Texas – The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation announced on Thursday that 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos will be permanently recognized in its national Trees for Peace Youth Gun Violence Memorial.
The national violence prevention and student advocacy group was formed in the wake of the 2022 Uvalde school shooting.
Olmos, whose remains were recovered earlier this week, will be honored with a memorial tree planted in the Davy Crockett National Forest in Texas. The initiative, originally created to commemorate young lives lost to interpersonal gun violence, marks a first for the foundation: Olmos will be the first memorial tree dedicated to a victim of gun-related suicide.
Camila’s death is a heartbreaking reminder that the epidemic of gun violence has many faces, including the silent struggle of mental health crises,” said Daniel Chapin, the foundation’s founder. “By including Camila in our national memorial, we are acknowledging that every life lost to a firearm—regardless of the circumstances—is a tragedy that demands our attention and our action.
The foundation has launched an independent fundraiser to support Olmos’s family with funeral expenses until a verified family GoFundMe is established. Donations can be made online through PayPal. CLICK HERE and select Camila Olmos Memorial in the drop-down menu.
In light of Olmos’s death, the foundation is intensifying its advocacy for preventative measures. Chapin called for comprehensive gun safety education and mandatory safe storage requirements, emphasizing that proper education and secure firearm storage could prevent impulsive tragedies.
Police confirmed today that Camila Mendoza Olmos’s best friend has reported a critical new detail: Camila believed she was pregnant with her boyfriend’s child shortly before she disappeared.
According to investigators, the friend turned over text messages in which Camila asked for urgent help after her boyfriend allegedly pressured her to have an abortion—a disclosure that has sharply refocused the investigation.
The Texts That Changed the Timeline
Authorities say the messages, sent days before Camila vanished, describe escalating tension and fear. In one exchange, Camila wrote that she felt “trapped” and unsure who to trust. Investigators emphasize the texts are being authenticated and placed into a precise timeline.
“These messages provide context,” a law-enforcement official said. “They don’t assign guilt, but they matter.”
What Was the Boyfriend Doing That Night?
Police have not publicly named the boyfriend or alleged wrongdoing. They confirmed his whereabouts on the night Camila disappeared are under active review.
What investigators have disclosed so far:
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He reported being away from Camila during the critical window.
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His account is being checked against phone pings, transaction records, and surveillance.
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Portions of his timeline are confirmed, while others remain unverified.
“We are corroborating every minute,” an official said. “No assumptions.”
Why This Matters
Detectives say the pregnancy claim—if verified—could explain recent behavior changes, including whom Camila contacted and where she went. It also broadens the inquiry to include coercive pressure and potential motive, without presuming criminal intent.
What Comes Next
Investigators are:
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Seeking medical confirmation consistent with privacy laws
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Completing forensic validation of the texts
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Finalizing the boyfriend’s timeline through independent data sources
Police urged the public to avoid speculation, stressing that all individuals are presumed innocent unless charges are filed.
