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Suspect Told Police Where To Find Tilly's Body

Teacher Has Been Missing For Two Weeks

POSTED: Saturday, December 4, 2004
UPDATED: 2:05 pm CST December 5, 2004

The body of San Antonio teacher Diane Tilly, who has been missing for nearly two weeks, appears to have been found, police said.

The body was discovered in east Bexar County about 150 feet off Scene Lake Drive and Boenig under some brush next to a fishing tank.

Authorities were told where to look for her body by a teen who has been arrested in connection with the teacher's disappearance and has made a deal with authorities.

The Bexar County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine how the woman died and to make a positive identification.

Authorities will confirm the identity of the body using dental records, said Assistant District Attorney Catherine Babbitt.

Tilly, 58, had been missing since Nov. 22 after she failed to deliver turkeys for a Thanksgiving luncheon at the Robbins Academy, a nontraditional high school where she was lead teacher.

"The details were pretty specific as to what we'd find here," said Lt. Ron Bennett of the Bexar County Sheriff's Department.

Ronnie Joe Neal, 33, who was arrested with his 15-year-old daughter in connection with Tilly's disappearance, is being held in Bexar County Jail, charged with aggravated robbery. The teen is charged with delinquent conduct by reason of aggravated robbery.

Neal and his daughter were arrested Nov. 24.

Police say items stolen from Tilly were found in the possession of Neal and his daughter. They used Tilly's ATM card at several convenience stores, officials aid.

The pair robbed Tilly in her home when she opened the door of her one-story gray brick house to them the night of Nov. 22, investigators said.

A bullet was fired inside, but authorities have said there were no signs a killing was committed there.

"It's obviously not the resolution we want," said Alamo Heights school district spokesman Kevin Brown. "I think for the family and all of our staff and her students and her friends, I think it's important that we have closure. We just wish that it was a different result."

Brown described Tilly as an advocate for all students, and who seemed to be able to connect with students who had been struggling in school for whatever reason.

"Diane was the heart of the school to the teachers as well as the students," said Bill Sain, a Robbins Academy math teacher.

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