CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Human remains that were discovered in a wastewater lift station in Corpus Christi last month were determined to be 21-year-old university student, Caleb Harris.
Harris, a Texas A&M Corpus Christi student and New Braunfels native, was first reported missing on March 4 near his off-campus apartment on Ennis Joslin Road.
The Corpus Christi Police Department issued a search where Harris was last seen, two days after he went missing.
A four-month-long investigation took a turn on June 24, when city workers conducting maintenance discovered human remains inside a wastewater collection well, according to police.
The human remains were discovered on the 5300 block of Lexington Road, approximately one mile away from where Harris was last seen.
The human remains were taken to the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office for examination.
Caleb’s mother, Becky Wright Harris, made a statement on July 17 in response to the forensic analysis discovery.
“We all have heavy hearts this evening as we learned of the positive identification of our sweet Caleb. We will grieve our son, but we are at peace knowing he is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Becky Wright Harris said.
The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office said the remains showed no obvious signs of foul play or homicide.
According to ValleyCentral affiliate NewsNation, authorities are unsure how the remains ended up in the well, raising the possibility that they were flushed there from another location after recent heavy rains.
A cause of death has not been determined at this time.
Background
Harris was first reported missing in March after his roommates were unable to find him.
“Caleb left behind his keys, vehicle, and wallet. Caleb did have his phone with him but is now turned off,” the Corpus Christi Police Department announced on March 5.
Caleb’s father, Randy Harris, told NewsNation his son walked his dog shortly before 3 a.m., returned home with the dog and ordered Uber Eats at 2:45 a.m.
He then left his apartment again to wait outside for his order and was never seen after that.
The four-month-long investigation expanded to other South Texas cities, including San Antonio and New Braunfels to conduct interviews with potential witnesses.