A family is looking for answers after a 69-year-old woman, Josefina Montesdeoca, was found dead in a manhole behind their home in Harris County, Texas.
Josefina was reported missing on September 13. Her daughter, Stephanie Lopez, said they searched for her around FM-1960 and Kuykendahl but couldn’t find her. Stephanie shared her mother’s phone location, but it seemed to be off, so they contacted the Harris County Sheriff’s Office to report her missing.
A deputy asked a few questions, gave them a case number, and left. When the family didn’t hear back the next day, they called the missing persons unit, only to find out it was closed on weekends. A search and rescue group wouldn’t help because they needed the sheriff’s approval.
Luckily, friends from church helped search on Sunday and quickly found Josefina. Stephanie recalled the moment, saying, “They found her! I thought she was sitting up, not in that hole.” She believes her mother was praying at the bottom of the manhole, hoping to be found.
The uncovered manhole was on the property of an apartment complex behind their home. There is a lot of overgrown land between the complex and their home. Stephanie’s husband said the man who found her had to move grass to see her body.
They are still unsure why Josefina was in that area, as she usually didn’t go there. Since her death, “do not enter” and “private property” signs have been put up, and the manhole has been covered.
During their search, the family also found an unfinished pool and rescued a stranded dog, naming it Joseph after Josefina, who loved dogs.
ABC13 is trying to find out who is responsible for the manhole’s maintenance. The medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of Josefina’s death, and the family has been told it could take months for answers.
Compilation of Uplifting Tales Guaranteed to Brighten Your Entire Day
Three individuals find their lives unexpectedly intertwined with hope. From a boy’s simple lemonade stand to a grandmother’s heartfelt gift, discover how moments of kindness and determination can lead to life-changing outcomes.
Life’s most profound changes often begin with the smallest of actions—a gesture of kindness, a long-forgotten memory, or a simple dream pursued with determination. These three stories explore how ordinary moments can ignite extraordinary transformations, leaving us with a renewed sense of hope and a reminder that even in the darkest times, light can be found.
Lost and Found: Max’s Journey Home
Max had been living on the streets for as long as he could remember, which wasn’t very long at all. His past was a blur, a fog he couldn’t see through.
All he had was the present: the cold pavement beneath him, the hum of the city, and the mysterious tattoo on his hand—a small emblem with intricate lines that felt familiar, yet distant. It was the only clue to a life he had lost.
Despite his circumstances, Max never gave up. Every day, he roamed different neighborhoods, asking if anyone had small jobs he could do. He wasn’t looking for charity—he wanted to work. “Anything you need done? A small job, just for a meal,” he’d ask.
Some people ignored him, others turned him away, but a few, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, would offer him tasks like sweeping a storefront or carrying groceries.
With the few dollars he earned, Max bought clean clothes from thrift shops. Every Sunday, he made sure he looked presentable enough to attend church. It wasn’t just about fitting in; it was about his faith. He held onto it like a lifeline, believing that God hadn’t forgotten him.
And then, one Sunday, something remarkable happened.
Max stood near the back of the church, head bowed in reverence. The priest was just beginning the service when a man, tall and dressed in a sharp black suit, walked in.
The man noticed Max almost immediately, his eyes drawn to the tattoo on Max’s hand, which rested lightly on the pew.
The man’s eyes widened in shock. He quickly rolled up his sleeve, revealing an identical tattoo on his own wrist. Without hesitation, he strode toward Max, his steps quickening as realization dawned on him.
“Max? Is that really you?” the man asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Max looked up, confusion crossing his weathered face. “Do I know you?” he replied cautiously.
The man smiled, a tear slipping down his cheek. “Max, it’s me, Patrick! We went to school together—St. Francis Academy. Remember? We got these tattoos as a pact, promising we’d always stay friends.”
Max blinked, the name triggering a distant, flickering light in the fog of his mind. “Patrick…”
Patrick nodded, his smile growing wider. “That’s right! You and I were like brothers back then. What happened to you? We lost touch after graduation, and I never heard from you again.”
Max shook his head slowly. “I don’t remember much. I woke up one day, and everything was gone—my memory, my life. All I had was this tattoo.”
Patrick placed a hand on Max’s shoulder, his voice filled with determination. “Well, that ends today. You’re coming with me. We’re going to get you back on your feet.”
Max hesitated, looking down at his ragged clothes. “I’m not sure, Patrick… I’ve been like this for so long. I wouldn’t know where to start.”
Patrick’s laugh was warm and reassuring. “Start by coming home with me. You’ll stay at my place until we figure this out. And don’t worry about anything else. My company could use someone with your work ethic. We’ll find a role for you.”
For the first time in years, Max felt a spark of hope. “You’d do that for me?”
Patrick nodded firmly. “Of course, Max. You’re not just a friend, you’re family.”
After the service, Max stood up, still a bit shaky, as Patrick guided him out of the church. Back at Patrick’s apartment, Max was overwhelmed by the warmth and comfort, the soft carpet, and the smell of fresh coffee.
Patrick handed him a fresh set of clothes. “Take a shower, get cleaned up,” he urged. “Tomorrow, we’ll get you a doctor’s appointment and figure out what’s going on with your memory.”
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