VIVIANA ORTIZ-ZUNIGA
FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayette County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the remains found along Coufal Rd., north of Fayetteville on April 15, are those of Viviana Ortiz-Zuniga, 39, of Fayetteville. Lt. David Beyer said the preliminary autopsy shows that the remains are those of the missing woman who was found during a massive search for Zuniga. The preliminary autopsy did not reveal how Zuniga died.
Beyer said this case is being put together with an eye on persons of interest. Texas Ranger Nicole Martin, assigned to Fayette County, is assisting in the investigation. Information will be forthcoming as the case progresses. However, Beyer, putting to rest rumors and the direction of the investigation, emphasized, "There is no reason to believe this incident puts the community in jeopardy." Zuniga was last seen in the Fayetteville area on April 2. On April 15, first responders searched an area along Coufal Rd. and found the remains of a decomposed body believed to belong to a female. Zuniga's vehicle was found later in Austin County.
