No one seems to know for sure why Elisabeth Mandala, 18, was in Mexico, but according to Houston Police the family had their fears.
HPD spokesman John Cannon says Mandala's mother told police her daughter may have gone to Mexico to learn how to smuggle undocumented immigrants into the United States.
Students say Mandala was a popular senior at Kempner and looking forward to graduating. Last Wednesday, she posted on her Facebook page, "I'm in Mexico. I'll be back Thursday."
According to the missing person report, Mandala's mother last saw her daughter on Tuesday, April 27th. She said Mandala rented a car after her personal vehicle was damaged in a car accident.
The mother believed Mandala was meeting up with someone and possibly going to Mexico. She said her daughter had mentioned she wanted to be a coyote, someone who brings undocumented immigrants across the border for money.
The mother also told police she just learned her daughter was an exotic dancer.
Memories are pouring in on a Facebook page set up in Mandala's honor. Mandala posted last month "fame is looking for me," but it's likely no one thought it would find her like this.