‘We’re not done’: As search for Erica Hernandez concludes, family seeks more answers in her death

The search for Erica Hernandez is over, but her family’s quest to find out what caused the Houston mother’s death continues.

The confirmation on Wednesday that Hernandez’s body was found in a vehicle submerged in a Pearland neighborhood retention pond raises more questions among loved ones who have been searching for her since her April 17 disappearance.

Why was she driving in a neighborhood 10 miles away from her Sunnyside home? What caused her vehicle to go into a retention pond? What led police to search in that location?

The family hopes to find those answers while Pearland police work through the early stages of their investigation.

“We’re not done,” said Hernandez’s younger sister, Ashley Hernandez. “We’re still looking for answers, and we want to let people know that this is not something that she would have done on her own will.”

Hernandez’s cause of death remains under investigation by the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office, Pearland police spokesman Jason Wells said during a Wednesday news conference. He said it was too early in the investigation to comment on whether investigators suspect foul play.

Authorities say Hernandez never made it home April 17 after leaving a friend’s house in southwest Houston. The disappearance sparked a massive search that included the FBI, Houston police and Texas EquuSearch. At one point, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee drew attention to the search effort. Hernandez’s children passed out flyers and pleaded through the media for any tips that would lead them to her.

Last week, Houston police intensified their search in Buffalo Run Park in Missouri City, where divers found another submerged vehicle that did not belong to Hernandez. Then, on Tuesday, Houston police officers gathered information with the FBI that led them to Pearland’s Shadow Creek Ranch subdivision, a 3,500-acre master-planned community.

The homes surround multiple retention ponds throughout the neighborhood. Houston police found evidence that a vehicle struck a curb near one pond at the intersection of Reflection Bay and North Clear Lake. Divers were called and quickly spotted Hernandez’s GMC Acadia in the water, which police say ranges in depth from 8 to 15 feet. Police also found damage on the vehicle consistent with striking a curb.

On Tuesday, Houston police Commander Kevin Deese said he could not reveal the tip that led officers to that location. During Wednesday’s news conference, Wells said Hernandez was the only person in the vehicle but could not release any further details.

“It is very early in this investigation... so we’re still waiting to learn details on any and all causes of the death of Ms Hernandez,” Wells said.

The League of United Latin American Citizens on Wednesday issued a statement upon hearing news of her death.

“We in LULAC are heartbroken that Erica's children and family members will never again have the joy of having their loved one around,” said district director Agustin Pinedo. “We pray that they find the strength to deal with such great tragedy and loss.”

About 20 of Hernandez’s family members gathered Wednesday at the neighborhood retention pond and prayed. Addressing reporters, Ashley Hernandez pleaded for nearby residents to search through any surveillance videos that might provide more clues about her death.

Her family, she said, is still processing the loss.

“I’m pretty sure we haven’t processed the fact that my sister is not here with us,” she said. “I’m sure it’s going to hit hard tonight.”

Ashley described her sister as a loving single mother of her three children: Briza Armenta, 19; Dennis Armenta, 16; and Luciano Armenta, 3.

Erica verified insurance benefits at Community Health Choice and was “always moving, always doing something for the kids,” Ashley said.

“They’re good kids, and that shows a lot about who Erica is,” she said.

Ashley recalled her sister’s delicious cooking, especially her potato salad, pozole and menudo. She teared up when she recalled Erica’s joy and dimpled smile.

She said the family is planning a vigil this week but have not set a date.

“Her story is not finished yet,” Ashley said. “It’s like it’s just begun.”

julian.gill@chron.com