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Dallas Woman Found Dead 9 Miles After Falling into Sewer, Daughter's Plea<answer>Dallas Woman's Death 9 Miles from Sewer: Daughter's Call for Justice<answer>Dallas Woman's Sewer Fall: 9-Mile Journey to Death, Daughter's Anguish

2024-12-12

Teresa Gonzales, a 66-year-old woman from Dallas, met a tragic fate when she fell into the sewer system. Her daughter, Cynthia Gonzales, and attorney Ramez Shamieh have been working tirelessly to get to the bottom of what happened. On October 22, Teresa was walking in the 1600 block of Record Crossing Road and accidentally stepped over an open manhole cover, plunging into the city's sewer system. Three days later, on October 25, her body was discovered more than nine miles away at the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant in southeast Dallas. Cynthia, in a tearful video posted on December 11, expressed her pain and demanded justice. She said, "It just hurts because nobody should have to go through that, nobody. I don't care who you are, nobody should have to feel that... not that kind of tragedy." Shamieh shared that he plans to file a lawsuit and is waiting on a public records request to gather more information. He also showed a photograph taken a week after the accident that allegedly showed gaps in the metal covering the manhole. "We believe one of the main reasons is unreasonably dangerous conditions at the site and that's why she fell in," he said, adding that foul play is not suspected. According to WFAA-TV and NBC DFW, the results of an autopsy are still pending. The City of Dallas declined to comment on the incident, but the Dallas Police Department confirmed that officers responded when Teresa's body was recovered and is investigating it as an "unexplained death." A spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. This tragic event has left Cynthia and her family in a state of shock and uncertainty, as they strive to make sense of what happened to their beloved mother.

The Accident Scene

Teresa was walking in what seemed like a normal area when disaster struck. An open manhole cover in a construction zone became her downfall. The distance between where she fell and where her body was found is a staggering nine and a half miles. This raises many questions about the safety measures in place and the events that led to this tragic accident. Cynthia's pain is palpable as she recalls that day. She said, "I couldn't believe it when I found out. It's just so hard to accept that this could happen to someone. My mom was just going about her day and then this happened." Shamieh is determined to hold those responsible accountable. He said, "We need to make sure that this doesn't happen to anyone else. There were clearly dangerous conditions at that site, and we need to find out how this could have been prevented."

The Search for Answers

The process of seeking answers has been a long and difficult one. Shamieh is waiting on a public records request to get more information about the incident. He believes that this will provide crucial details that could help in understanding what led to Teresa's fall. Cynthia is also doing everything she can to get to the truth. She said, "I'm not going to rest until we know what happened to my mom. We deserve to have some closure." The autopsy results are still pending, which adds to the uncertainty. But Cynthia and Shamieh remain hopeful that they will eventually get the answers they are seeking. They said, "We know that there are still a lot of questions unanswered, but we're not giving up. We will keep fighting for justice for my mom."

The Impact on the Family

This tragic event has had a profound impact on Cynthia and her family. Teresa was more than just a mother; she was a beloved member of the community. Cynthia said, "My mom was always there for us. She was the heart of our family. Now that she's gone, it feels like a part of us is missing." The family is struggling to come to terms with the loss, but they are also determined to honor Teresa's memory. They said, "We will make sure that my mom's story is told. She deserves to be remembered for the kind and loving person she was." The community has also rallied around the family, offering their support and condolences. Cynthia said, "We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. It gives us some comfort to know that we're not alone in this."