Human remains found inside wastewater well identified as missing 21-year-old college student

Authorities identified the human remains found last month as missing 21-year-old college student Caleb Harris. (Corpus Christi Police Department)

Corpus Christi, Texas

A missing college student in Texas has been confirmed dead after a four-month search for him.

According to the Corpus Christi Police Department, the human remains that were found last month at a wastewater well were that of 21-year-old Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student Caleb Harris.

Family, friends and law enforcement had been searching for Harris since he was last seen near his apartment on March 4.

Police said city workers conducting maintenance at the Perry Place wastewater lift station discovered the remains inside a wastewater collection well on June 24 and immediately contacted the department.

According to authorities, the remains were found in an advanced state of decomposition, but no signs of trauma were spotted.

This week, the remains were identified as Harris.

A cause of death remains pending with Harris’ remains being transported to the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

The 21-year-old’s family told KRIS they have been leaning on faith to get through the difficult time and appreciated everyone who helped.

“You would never think that you would be put in a position like this. You do everything in your power to protect your kids and something like this happens, it just changes your whole world,” Randy Harris, Caleb Harris’ father, shared.

Corpus Christi police said they were joined by dozens of other law enforcement agencies and individuals from the community in their search for Caleb Harris.

The medical examiner’s office is working on a final autopsy report and police said their investigation into the case remains ongoing.

Investigators urged anyone with further information to contact the Corpus Christi Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 361-826-2840.

3-year-old child found dead after going missing from resort near Walt Disney World

The boy, Rakim Akbari, was believed to have wandered away from an Orlando resort Thursday morning. (Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida)

Orlando, Fla.

A child is dead after he went missing from a resort near Walt Disney World in Florida on Thursday.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Florida, Rakim Akbari, 3, was reported missing from the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas at Lake Buena Vista earlier in the day.

Authorities said Rakim had autism and had wandered away from the resort that morning.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office sent out a missing child alert for Rakim before deputies located his body in the water at the resort Thursday afternoon.

“It is with heavy hearts that we must share that our deputies have found Rakim Akbari deceased in a body of water at the resort where he was reported missing this morning. Our detectives are still looking into how this tragedy occurred,” the sheriff’s office shared.

No further details were immediately provided.

The boy was said to have gone missing while wearing pajama pants and a shirt but was without socks or shoes.

“We are grieving his loss, and our prayers are with his family,” the department said.

‘The final straw’: Elon Musk moving SpaceX, X headquarters from California to Texas

Billionaire Elon Musk says he’s moving the headquarters of SpaceX and social media company X to Texas from California. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File | AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Francisco

Elon Musk is moving his companies out of California.

The tech billionaire said on Tuesday he is moving the headquarters of SpaceX and social media company X to Texas.

Musk shared that he has reached his decision after California became the first U.S. state to bar school districts from requiring staff to notify parents of their child’s gender identification change.

The new law was signed Monday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Musk has clashed with California leaders in the past over regulations, and on Tuesday he said this was “the final straw.”

The Associated Press reports the law bans school rules requiring teachers and other staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation to any other person without the child’s permission.

Those in favor of the legislation said it will help protect LGBTQ+ students who live in unwelcoming households. But those against it said it will hinder schools’ ability to be more transparent with parents.

“Because of this law and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas.”

According to the tech mogul, X’s headquarters will also be moving from San Francisco to Austin, Texas.

“I did make it clear to Governor Newsom about a year ago that laws of this nature would force families and companies to leave California to protect their children,” Musk shared.

Musk has already moved Tesla’s corporate headquarters to the Austin area from Palo Alto, California, in 2021.

Additionally, the 53-year-old said that he has also moved his residence from California to Texas, where there is no state personal income tax.

Fitness icon Richard Simmons dies at 76, reports say

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2013 file photo, Richard Simmons arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

Los Angeles

Richard Simmons, the legendary fitness instructor, has died at the age of 76, multiple outlets are reporting.

Simmons was reportedly found by his housekeeper just before 10 a.m. Saturday at his Los Angeles-area home.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders, ABC News reported.

Authorities shared that the 76-year-old appeared to have died of natural causes with no foul play expected.

Simmons was known for his uplifting personality and aerobic exercise videos, including 1988’s “Sweatin’ to the Oldies.”

He just celebrated his 76th birthday on Friday -- thanking his fans for the well wishes he received on social media.

5-year-old declared brain dead after suspected DUI driver hits family on bike ride

Jacob Ramirez, 5, suffered critical injuries when he was hit by a vehicle while he was riding his bike with his family, (GoFundMe)

Garden Grove, Calif.

A 5-year-old California boy has been reportedly declared brain dead after he and his family were hit by a suspected drunken driver while they were riding bikes last weekend.

KABC reports Jacob Ramirez was rushed to a hospital along with his two siblings and his parents after a driver of a 2003 Toyota Camry hit them Sunday night.

Jacob was with his father Angel Ramirez, 27, his mother Angela Hernandez Mejia, 25, and his 7-year-old and 7-month-old sisters when the reported collision occurred.

Garden Grove police said Angel Ramirez, Jacob and the 7-year-old child were taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

Mejia and her 7-month-old daughter were hospitalized with stable vital signs before the mother was released.

“We were struck by a drunk driver, my 3 kids, their dad, and me. We were rushed to the hospital. My daughter Gianna is doing better and breathing on ventilation,” Mejia shared through a GoFundMe account. “Please pray and keep my kids (Gianna, Jacob, Lydia, and Angel) in your prayers!!! My son Jacob Ramirez has been in 2 surgeries and has a really bad brain injury and is not responding.”

Ceferino Ramos, 29, of Santa Ana was arrested in connection with the crash, KNBC reports.

According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Ramos’ blood alcohol content was nearly triple the legal limit and two of the victims in the crash were comatose due to brain injuries.

Ramos is facing charges that include driving under the influence causing bodily injury and hit-and-run with permanent injury or death.

The 27-year-old was reportedly arrested thanks to a good Samaritan following him as he attempted to leave the scene after the crash.

Ramos is scheduled to be arraigned July 25 in the West Justice Center.