Lead investigator in Alma Del Real case speaks out

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The lead investigator in Alma Del Real's missing persons case spoke out Wednesday about how the case has affected her.

Wednesday evening, South Bend Metro Homicide recovered a body in Marshall County they believe to be Del Real's.

A positive identification cannot be made until an autopsy is performed Thursday.

Lead detective in the missing persons case, Jennifer Gobel, said the emotional toll of Alma's case was outstanding.

“My daughter would ask me every day if I've found Alma yet. Today I get to go home and say, we have,” Gobel said.

Gobel says the most difficult part was watching Del Real's family go through the pain of missing a loved one.

“It's been fairly exceptional dealing with the family and trying to give them answers. We're coming up on six weeks of not being able to do that. I want to send out my heartfelt condolences to the family because I know as much of a toll as it took on me, and my personal family regarding this case, I can't imagine what it's done for them,” Gobel said.