Body of Missing Miami Gardens Mom Found Two Weeks After Disappearance

The body of a single mother who had been missing for two weeks from a Miami Gardens home has been found, officials confirmed Wednesday.

The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the body’s identity as 41-year-old Kameela Russell, who was last seen May 15 in the 800 block of Northwest 203rd Street at the home of her aunt.

Russell had arrived at the home to pick up her daughter, but never went inside of her home. She did not show up to work over the course of the next week at Miami Norland Senior High School, where she worked as a test administrator.

Miami Gardens Police pulled a body they called "badly decomposed" from a canal less than a mile from the scene on Saturday, but did not confirm if that body was indeed Russell. Officials said they're awaiting further DNA tests.

"It's a mystery," mother Linda Russell told NBC 6 last week, shortly after the search began. 

The medical examiner's office said the death has been ruled a homicide as a result of blunt force to the head.

In a statement Wednesday, Miami-Dade County Public Schools said they are "deeply saddened about the painful and shocking news" about Russell.

"The entire M-DCPS family is heartbroken. We ask that the community join us as we keep Kameela Russell’s loved ones in our prayers," the statement read.

Counselors will also be at the school to assist students and staff.

"An unbearably painful week for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. We ache for Kameela Russell's grieving loved ones and pray they find the strength to bear the pain of this heartbreaking loss," Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in a statement. "District Crisis team has been deployed to Miami Norland Senior High School to help students and staff during this difficult time."

Officials are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers.