Julie Mott: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Julie MOtt corpse stolen

(Facebook)

The body of a 25-year-old woman from San Antonio went missing on the day of her funeral. Julie Mott died August 8 after suffering from cystic fibrosis, and friends and family paid their final tributes on August 15, which would have been her 26th birthday. Later that day, Mott’s body vanished.

Here’s what you need to know:


1. The Funeral Home Is Offering a $20,000 Reward for Her Return

Julie Mott Facebook page

(Facebook)

My San Antonio reports that Mott’s funeral was held at the Mission Park Funeral Chapels North facility on August 15. After the services concluded, her body was to be cremated. Workers at the home left her casket in a hallway, and the next day the coffin was empty.

Anyone with any information about Mott’s disappearance is asked to call 210-207-TIPS. The funeral home is offering a $20,000 reward to anyone who can find the body. The funeral homes’ owner, Dick Tips, told KSAT that there was no sign of forced entry at his business.


2. Mott’s Father Was the Private Pilot to the Funeral Home Owner

Julie Mott Funeral

(Facebook)

According to her Facebook page, Mott was a native of Fort Worth but lived in San Antonio. She was a graduate of San Antonio College and Winston Churchill High School. Her father, William, is funeral home owner Dick Tips’ private pilot.

Mott was passionate about horses. Among her last Facebook status updates were messages congratulating the horse American Pharoah. She wrote, “History has been made today! American Pharoah ran an amazing race, had the lead the whole time and he made it look like a piece of cake!!” Another said, “OMG the first Triple Crown was just won since 1978!!! American Pharaoh ran an amazing race!!!!”

A more sombre update from July 4, 2012, said that she was spending America’s birthday in the hospital, with her doctors at the time recommending a lung transplant.


3. A Friend Described Mott as ‘a Strong Woman Who Never Gave Up’

Julie Mott Found

(Facebook)

On the days of her death and her funeral, Mott’s friends and family flooded her Facebook page with heartbreaking tributes. One friend, Lauren Schultz, wrote, “Happy birthday Julie, even though we are saying our final goodbyes today, we will never forget you. I love you and miss you.”

Another, Kelsey Brown, wrote, “You told me once about nine years ago that every day of your life was a miracle, just being alive, against all the odds. I remember you smiled as you said it. I’ve never forgotten those words, and I’ll never forget you.”

Finally, her friend Justin Kelberlau wrote, “Julie Mott it hurts my heart to hear of your passing. You were a strong woman that never gave up. I always enjoyed hanging out with you though it has been many years. Your heart of gold and bright soul will be missed by many of us. You fight is over sad as it may be your in a much better place.”


4. In 1997, Another Blonde Woman’s Dead Body Was Stolen

(Google Books)

(Google Books)

This incident is similar to the theft of Melinda Ann Lee’s body in 1994 in Lubbock, Texas, which is about 400 miles north of San Antonio. Lee was a Texas Tech junior when she was killed by a drunk driver in Dallas. In 1997, Wayland Leroy Lamb Jr. was sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Lee. Her body was recovered 10 days after it vanished.


5. Men Tend to Live Longer Than Women Who Suffer From Cystic Fibrosis

Julie Mott Tribute

(Facebook)

According to Essential Medical Genetics, cystic fibrosis is the “most common life-limiting autosomal recessive disease among people of European heritage.” There are 30,000 Americans suffering with the condition, most of whom are diagnosed by the time they reach six months of age. Males who suffer from the condition tend to have a longer life expectancy than females. A study conducted in Ireland found a connection between estrogen and worse outcomes for those suffering with cystic fibrosis.