Leander Police ask for help finding family of woman hit by train
LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — The Williamson County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 and the Leander Police Department are asking for help identifying next of kin for a woman who died last fall.
The agencies are searching for the family of 41-year-old Naomi L. Morales. She died on Nov. 18 after she was hit by a CapMetro train, LPD Lt. Mike Mohler said.
Woman dies after CapMetro train hits her in Leander, police said
Mohler said Morales is believed to be from the northeast and was experiencing homelessness at the time of her death. He said investigators have tracked down people who said she was secretive about her relatives.
“We put in as much effort as we can into these, but sometimes it could be a significant amount of time before somebody’s family members are identified,” Mohler said.
(Photos: Williamson County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3)
Judge Evelyn McLean, justice of the peace, precinct 3, said instances like this are uncommon but can be more frequent if the deceased is not from the area. She said reaching out to the public is often a last resort.
“We never want family to learn of a loss like this through the media, but it’s kind of a last resort, law enforcement has exhausted all avenues,” McLean said.
Mohler said Morales’ body is being kept at Hill Country Forensics for now. McLean said if family is not found soon, the next steps are clear.
“If a family steps forward, which is what we want, then they will decide what they want to do with the decedents remains. If family is not located, then we will go to the county judge and seek an indigent burial,” McLean said.
The matter would then be presented at the Williamson County Commissioner’s Court.
For any tips about Morales’s next of kin, please contact McLean’s office at 512-943-1508 or by emailing jp3inquest@wilco.org.
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