Investigators Confirm Body Found Near Culver is Missing South Bend Woman

Authorities confirm a body found Wednesday near Culver is that of a South Bend woman who disappeared last month. Alma Del Real, 22, was last seen around 3:30 a.m. on April 12th when a friend dropped her off at home after leaving Studio Rumba 305 in South Bend. The cause and manner of her death have not yet been determined.

An official with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office tells our reporting partners at WNDU-TV the man arrested in connection with Del Real’s murder has been a suspect since she disappeared. Alberto Cruz, 24, was booked into the St. Joseph County Jail Wednesday night on a preliminary murder charge. Investigators said they got enough information from him to lead them to “a remote location in Marshall County” where the body was found. The Pilot News reports a death investigation took place near the intersection of Queen and 18th Roads.