Missing New Orleans Teacher Body ID'd In Underwater Car, Death By Drowning Confirmed

Since missing New Orleans teacher Terrilyn Monette's car was discovered on Saturday, an autopsy has confirmed the highly decomposed body found inside to be that of the 26-year-old's, with death caused by drowning.

"To know that she could have possibly been there for three months," said Monette's mother Toni Enclade.

"I can't even being to go there right now. I'm in shock. I can't believe this. I just can't believe this."

Monette was last seen leaving a New Orleans bar, Parlay's Dream Lounge, not far from the bayou on March 2, and she would have had to cross the waterway to drive home, reported Yahoo! News.

According to NOLA Defender, the bayou and the area has been the target of police searches since her disappearance, with more than 15 cars pulled from the water in the process.

Her car was discovered by Slidell police officer Mark Michaud along with the decomposed body. The car was loaded onto a truck and driven to the coroner's office.

An autopsy has determined the death to be caused by drowning, with no signs of trauma. A toxicology reports has been ordered, but results will most likely take two to three weeks.

The New Orleans Police Department is not using its fatality unit to determine the remaining details of her disappearance.

Monette worked as a second grade teacher at Woodland West Elementary School in Harvey, reported CNN.

"I always wanted to be a teacher, and what better place to teach than New Orleans, where passionate teachers are needed most?" said Monette in a 2011 video.