Florida authorities believe the body of a woman found in a submerged car pulled from a lake is that of a 33-year-old woman reported missing nearly two weeks ago.
The body recovered from the car in Mango Lake on Sunday is likely that of Apryl Foster, of Brandon, Hillsborough County sheriffs told the Tampa Bay Times.
Sheriffs would not confirm the body found in the Chevy Aveo was the missing woman, but they did say there was "no reason" to suspect it was anyone else.
"This is a tragic end to a very sad story," Tampa police Chief Brian Dugan told the newspaper. A medical examiner is to make an official identification.
Foster, a server at a Tampa Heights restaurant, was reported missing by her parents on Feb. 13 after she failed to message them by phone like she does every morning. Foster was last seen after she left the restaurant and drove to Ybor City, Tampa police told the newspaper.
Her car was found when boaters on the lake reported bumping into something beneath the water near the lake's community boat ramp, Major J.R. Burton of the sheriff's office told the Tampa Bay Times.
A nearby homeowner with surveillance cameras focused on the lake reviewed the footage and saw Foster's Chevy driving into a parking lot for the ramp. The car proceeds down the boat ramp and into the lake.
Neighbor Noelle Fraser told the newspaper the gate that leads to the ramp is usually locked. The gate was broken a couple of weeks ago but she did not think anything of it until the car was found.
"That's when we knew that they were looking for her," Fraser said. "It's freaky knowing you live right here and you didn't even hear anything or see anything."
The victim's parents, Craig and Peggy Bemam, drove from their native Texas once they learned their daughter's car was located. The grieving parents thanked police for their hard work in finding Foster
"We don't understand this. Maybe we will one day," Craig Beman, told the newspaper.
"We just know she's with Jesus now," Peggy Beman said.
