In the wake of a missing East Boston woman named Elba Portillo's body being found, her daughter, Natalie Umana, has launched a fundraising campaign.
61-year-old Portillo's body was uncovered submerged in the water under the Andrew McArdle bridge, located in East Boston, on Saturday. She had already been missing for a month by then, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden has revealed, per Boston.com.
Here's all we know about Natalie Umana's mother, Elba Portillo's demise
Per the outlet, James Borghesani, a spokesperson for the DA, revealed that there were no obvious signs of foul play, though further information has yet to be made public. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Her family told Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra that they would be transporting Portillo's body to El Salvador. They revealed that she was afflicted with insomnia and may have been dealing with early symptoms of dementia.
"I wish the disappearance of Elba Portillo had a happier ending, and I convey my deepest sympathies to her family and friends," Hayden reportedly said in a statement.
Natalie Umana's mother was last seen on December 13 at around 9:30 am around Marion Street, Boston. She hadn't shown up to work that day and had never gone missing before that, her missing person alert read.
Her body was discovered when a report came in at around 7:20 am on Saturday about a woman's body floating in the water under the bridge, triggering the police and the Harbor Patrol Unit to respond.
Natalie Umana has since launched a GoFundMe page to ease the financial strain of dealing with her mother's funeral costs. Read what it says below:
"I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who reshared my posts, volunteered your time to search for my mother, and consistently checked in on my family. Your unwavering support meant the world to us, and we will forever cherish the kindness you showed during this difficult time."
The page goes on:
"As our family grieves this immense loss, we must now begin the heartbreaking process of arranging for her wake and funeral. We were unprepared for this devastating outcome and are facing significant financial burdens. Any assistance you can offer, no matter how small, would be a tremendous help and deeply appreciated. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May God bless you all."
At the time of writing, Natalie Umana's fundraising initiative has raised over $30,235, the $30,000 goal completed, with donations from over 819 patrons.

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