NILES, Mich. (WSBT) — A sad confirmation about the two South Bend women who vanished on Sunday.
Their vehicle was found and recovered on Tuesday in the St. Joseph River in Niles.
Investigators confirmed that the two women inside the submerged Jeep were 24-year-old Vanessa Bautista and 23-year-old Alexa Navarro.
Niles Police believe the car went over the embankment in the area of Laurel and South Lincoln Avenue and ended in the river.
According to police, they began searching the river after cell and vehicle data suggested the vehicle was in that area.
They did not have a specific area and said that’s why the river was searched both below and above the dam.
Police believe when the car went over the embankment… it was damaged during impact with trees, the bank, and the water.
They say at this time, there’s no indication of external forces damaging the vehicle.
But that portion of the investigation remains ongoing, as well as whether any criminal activity was involved.
The families are mourning the loss of Vanessa Bautista and Alexa Navarro.
Their loved ones had been searching for the pair for days, and when talking with them during the search on Monday, they told WSBT the two shared a special friendship.