The running community in San Antonio, Texas, is reeling after the death of Stacey Dramiga, 63, whose body was found Monday in a wooded area near a city-wide network of trails. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that Dramiga, a beloved member of the local running scene, died from “blunt force, penetrating trauma of the head.” Authorities have classified the incident as a homicide, leaving residents and fellow runners in shock, as reported by Fox San Antonio.
BODY IDENTIFIED 🚨 https://t.co/rNUNngQNVV
The woman found deceased along a popular walking trail on the East side has been identified as 63-year-old Stacey Dramiga. pic.twitter.com/Z432JsDiL3— News 4 San Antonio (@News4SA) September 25, 2024
Local sheriff Javier Salazar said that Dramiga had likely started her regular morning walk on Sunday, about three miles from where her body was discovered. She was reported missing by her husband on Sunday.
“This doesn’t appear to be an accidental fall,” Salazar said. “We are investigating this as a homicide and are actively searching for her killer.” Investigators found Dramiga’s body by using a linked iPad to ping the missing woman’s phone, and are now using bicycles and horses to search the crime scene for clues.
Dramiga was a well-known figure in the community, having worked as director of the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation centre at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC). BAMC released an official statement:
“Brooke Army Medical Center received the tragic news that a member of our family, Ms. Stacey Dramiga, was found deceased by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office after having been missing since Sunday morning. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and co-workers. Stacey was a beloved member of the BAMC staff and will be greatly missed.”
The tragedy has sparked worry throughout San Antonio’s running and hiking groups. Frank DeMore, a coach for the San Antonio Roadrunners, shared his concern: “I’ve heard of this happening in other places, but I was shocked that it’s happening here in San Antonio,” DeMore said. He emphasized how unsettling it was for the local running community. “Many of my friends are probably out on the trails running right now,” said Demore. “There is safety in numbers,” he added, and suggested runners avoid using earbuds to remain alert to their environment.
“It makes you scared,” local runner Sarah Elliott told local media outlet KENS5. She suggests fellow runners wear bright clothing, pack pepper spray and change their routes often to prevent others from tracking their habits.
