MINERAL WELLS — The skeletal remains found Thursday in Mineral Wells have been identified as Shonda Townsend, family member April Hambrick released in a statement late Friday afternoon.
"It is with heavy heart and bitter sweet relief that I inform everyone that ... the skeletal remains in Mineral Wells, Texas are that of our precious Shonda," Hambrick said. "I thank you all for all your prayers and support I ask that as of now please give our family some time to heal and grieve. I will notify everyone of memorial services as soon as my family have them in order.
Authorities began searching an area Friday in far southwest Mineral Wells where skeletal remains were found Thursday, the Mineral Wells Index reported.
Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer said a human skull and bones were discovered by a prospective buyer of an approximately 100-acre tract who was walking the land.
The remains were found at the edge of a tree-lined area off Sand Hill Road.
Mercer along with interim Mineral Wells Police Chief Scott Mitcham said Friday morning the remains would be sent to a forensics lab for positive identification.
Mercer said officials met with Townsend's family Thursday night to inform them of the developments.
The then 19-year-old Townsend went missing in the early morning hours of July 5, 2010. She had spent the Fourth of July holiday with friends. That night just before midnight, she posted “I got this” to her Facebook page and left the home of a friend off U.S. Highway 180 in western Mineral Wells. Shortly after midnight, the Gibtown teen sent her mother a text saying she was on her way home.
Townsend, the single mother of a boy, never arrived home. Police said cell phone activity continued on her phone until around 2 a.m. the morning of July 5 before the phone went apparently dead. Police said Townsend's phone activity was bouncing off a cellular tower in the Peadenville area around that time.
Around 5:30 a.m., Townsend's ransacked car was found with doors open in the 800 block of S.E. 3rd Avenue. The car reportedly yielded no evidence or clues concerning what happened to Townsend or who was responsible. The keys to the car were found several days later tossed in an adjacent lot.
Police conducted ground and aerial searches, and private searches were conducted, including one by the CUE Center for Missing Persons, which stopped in Mineral Wells on Sunday evening as part of a national tour spotlighting missing persons cases. Dozens of interviews of friends, family members and persons of interest have been conducted.
A Crime Stoppers reward of up to $1,000 for anyone who anonymously provides information that leads to arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for Townsend's disappearance. Information can be provided anytime by calling (940) 325-0000.
The Mineral Wells Index is covering the story and further information is expected in Sunday's edition.
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