Cause of Death Revealed for Missing Mom of 7 Who Was Found Inside Submerged Car

The cause of death for Consuelo Bernabe, a Texas mother of seven, has been confirmed.

Bernabe, 39, was found inside her Dodge Caravan on Monday, Aug. 18, after the vehicle was recovered from the Brazos River in Waco, Texas.

On Thursday, Aug. 21, the Waco Police Department announced that preliminary autopsy results determined she died from drowning. Authorities said no foul play is suspected at this time. Her final autopsy results are still pending, and the investigation continues.

Before her body was discovered, Bernabe had been reported missing on Friday, Aug. 15, according to a social media post by her daughter Maria Romero on Sunday, Aug. 17.

One of Bernabe’s daughters, Hermelinda Romero, told ABC affiliate KXXV that her mother was last seen at a bar in Lott, Texas. Bernabe had called her family from the bar, saying she was waiting for a man to pick her up. Hermelinda added that the family believed she had been intoxicated at the time.

On Monday, Aug. 18, at 10:10 a.m., Waco police officers received a report that a Dodge Caravan was in the Brazos River. “Fire dive team, Texas Game Wardens, and Tow King assisted in pulling the car out of the river,” the Waco Police Department reported. Bernabe’s body was recovered from the vehicle, and next of kin were notified.

She was publicly identified as the victim on Tuesday, Aug. 19. Initially, the Waco Police Department had classified her death as “questionable” prior to the autopsy results.

Her son, David Romero, told CBS affiliate KWTX that it was unusual for his mother to go missing without informing anyone.

“I wasn’t trying to overthink. I was like, ‘But that’s not like my mom.’ She always has her phone on her, she’ll answer any call and message that you send her,” David said. He added that his mother always smiled and prioritized caring for her children.

Maria paid tribute to her mother on Facebook, writing, “Rest in peace ma I love you so much words can’t explain I wanna see your beautiful smile again now every time I go in your room i will cry and just be like why you but we will get JUSTICE SERVED can’t wait to see again.”

Hermelinda also set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the family’s unexpected funeral expenses.