Vanessa Bautista and Alexandra “Alexa” Navarro Found Dead After Michigan River Search

 The search for Vanessa Bautista, 24, and Alexandra “Alexa” Navarro, 23, ended in a heartbreaking discovery Tuesday, September 15, 2026, when rescue teams recovered a submerged SUV from the St. Joseph River near Niles, Michigan. Two deceased people were found inside the dark Jeep Grand Cherokee, according to authorities. Investigators have not yet completed the formal identification process, but officials said the physical descriptions and clothing were consistent with those of the two women.

The women had been reported missing after an outing in Elkhart, Indiana, following a birthday celebration. Relatives said they were last heard from at approximately 3:41 a.m. Sunday, September 13, after dropping off a friend. Their disappearance prompted concern among family members, followed by public safety alerts from South Bend police on Monday. Mobile-device location data directed investigators toward the Niles area, narrowing the search as authorities worked to determine where the women had gone.

Both women were mothers of young children. Navarro was the mother of a 3-year-old child, while Bautista had two children, ages 2 and 3, according to information provided by relatives. Those family details have added a deeply personal dimension to a search that unfolded across communities in Indiana and Michigan. Loved ones were initially seeking answers about where the women were and whether they were safe. The river recovery has now provided a significant development, although important questions remain.

Niles Police Chief James Millin said dive teams located the Jeep Grand Cherokee submerged in the river’s strong current. Recovery crews used heavy tow cables to pull the vehicle from the water and onto the riverbank Tuesday afternoon. Officers then confirmed that two people were deceased inside the vehicle. The discovery brought the missing-person search to a critical stage while shifting investigators’ attention toward determining the identities of those recovered and reconstructing what happened.

Formal identification remains pending through the Berrien County Medical Examiner’s Office. Authorities are expected to rely on autopsy findings and forensic testing before officially confirming the identities. Although investigators said the descriptions and clothing matched those associated with Bautista and Navarro, those observations do not replace the formal identification process. Maintaining that distinction is important while relatives await definitive answers about the two women they reported missing only days earlier.

Investigators are also working to understand how the SUV entered the St. Joseph River and what happened during the hours before the vehicle was discovered. Collision reconstruction specialists are examining road conditions, the vehicle itself, and other physical evidence. Authorities are also reviewing mobile-device telemetry as part of the broader investigation. At this point, the available details do not establish whether the vehicle left the roadway because of mechanical failure, environmental conditions, driver error, or another circumstance.

The recovery marks a painful turning point for families who spent days waiting for news about Bautista and Navarro. While investigators continue their work, the official identification process and reconstruction of the vehicle’s movements remain incomplete. The circumstances surrounding the deaths have not been fully established, and authorities have not publicly announced a final cause or manner of death. For their families, the next stage will center on receiving confirmed answers and understanding what occurred before the Jeep was found beneath the Michigan river’s surface.