Police identify remains found as missing woman Mercedes Clements

COLLIN COUNTY, Texas — Police have recognized remains found in Collin County to be of a Dallas woman who was reported missing practically two years in the past. 

The Collin County Medical Examiner’s Officer notified the Dallas Police Homicide Unit that the remains had been of Mercedes Clement, police say. She was recognized by way of a dental information comparability. 

Police first found the skeletal remains on Feb. 13 this yr close to Lavon Lake at Morning Dove Lane and County Route 477 in Princeton. 

Clement went missing on Oct. 11, 2020, from the town of Dallas, police say. She was final seen across the Koko Apartment Complex off Harry Hines Boulevard, the place she was seen on surveillance video strolling by way of a Dallas condominium advanced with a person. 

Police are persevering with to analyze her disappearance and loss of life. They ask anybody with information relating to the case to name Detective Patty Belew at 214-671-3603 or e-mail her at [email protected]. 

Clement’s mom, Alicia Gazotti, advised WFAA that even after two years her household was not ready to listen to that Clement’s physique was found. 

“You get a little peace that she’s coming home, but your child’s not supposed to go before you,” Gazotti stated. “You’re not speculated to not have them come by way of the door…and hug them…and kiss them. I don’t assume you get closure. You get peace. Then, you get justice.”

Gazotti stated she has obtained assist and help from regulation enforcement, family and friends who’ve devoted time to looking for her daughter. She stated, now, they’ll deal with looking for justice and accountability for “every single person that was involved.”

“While we are grieving immensely, at least now we can bring her home,” Gazotti wrote. “The investigation remains ongoing and this will hopefully speed up the process of pressing charges on those responsible.” She additionally stated she needs to assist households who’re combating getting solutions in instances involving their missing youngsters. 

“I have learned so much about our rights and what police have to go through just to get a victim home and how they’re overworked and overloaded and how little time they have and what little resources they have,” Gazotti said. “When everything is said and done, and she gets her justice, we’re going to do everything we can to help those families. That’s what Mercedes would’ve wanted.”

In an interview with Good Morning America’s Michael Strahan, Gazotti described her daughter as “just a gift.”

“She was just always saving her money for the homeless people,” she described. “Always just had a huge heart of gold. Always.”

Gazotti advised GMA that Clement referred to as some associates on the night time she disappeared, telling one which she was “scared” earlier than the cellphone disconnected. The subsequent day, Clement’s automobile was towed. Her pockets, keys and purse had been nonetheless inside.

“We just knew something was wrong,” Gazotti advised GMA.

The man seen within the surveillance video with Clement that night time was thought-about an individual of curiosity, reported GMA – but they have not described him as a suspect.