SAN ANTONIO – Imagine learning about a missing person’s case directly from the person who’s missing. That’s the idea behind a new AI video making the rounds on social media narrated by a San Antonio mother who vanished nearly five years ago.
Using AI technology, the video shows Cecilia Huerta Gallegos describing the circumstances surrounding her own disappearance back in July of 2019.
“My story needs to be heard and shared worldwide until my beloved children and family can give me a proper burial and I can finally rest in peace,” the AI Cecilia says toward the beginning of the three-minute clip. “I was 30 at the time. My disappearance has a profound impact on my family.”
The video was made by the local non-profit Search & Support San Antonio with the full support of Cecilia’s family, bringing her image to life in hopes of better grabbing the public’s attention.
“As soon as I saw the video, it felt like it was yesterday and I went back to 2019,” said her sister Mireya Lopez. “It’s hard. It’s tough. When I saw the video, I cried. I’m like, I can’t believe she’s speaking and saying her story.”
Nina Brooks, founder and president of Search & Support San Antonio, says they chose to feature Cecilia for their first AI video because her case was one of the first where they helped with the search after forming in 2019.
“For some people, it might appear like a creepy way to raise awareness, we understand that,” Brooks said. “But we always ask the family first how they feel about it.”
“The family is involved from the very first step,” Brooks continued. “They made the decision, ‘I want to do this.’ We don’t publish anything without the family’s approval.”
Cecilia’s family says it’s already bringing new attention to the case.
“Even on TikTok when we posted it, the views went up high,” Lopez said.
“It just adds some life to these flyers, to these faces,” Brooks added. “The viewers online just can relate a little bit better to those stories when they understand, hey, this person was alive, had a life, and is missed as a beloved missing family member. The numbers absolutely went up. There is a very stark contrast compared to flyers or articles.”
San Antonio police are confident they know what happened to Cecilia and who did it. Her husband Reyes Gallegos is charged with her murder. Arrested in 2021, his trial is set to begin next week. But despite his arrest, Cecilia’s body has still never been recovered.
“My husband was filmed unloading two shovels, a chainsaw, trash bags, and cleaning supplies,” the AI Cecilia says in the video. “To this day, my remains haven’t been found, and my family couldn’t bury me properly.”
“We’re 100% sure, as is the homicide unit, that she’s no longer (alive),” her sister said. “All we’re waiting for is to find her remains. I think at this point, hopefully, someone does speak up by seeing the video and seeing her talking on the video.”
“They deserve to know where I’m buried,” the AI version of Cecilia says in the video. “Don’t be afraid to leave a tip anonymously.”
Just call SAPD at 210-207-7660.
Brooks says she’s already received feedback from law enforcement indicating an interest in the impact and possible leads these AI videos can generate. Her nonprofit has already identified the subject of its next video as Pauline Diaz, an HEB employee who vanished in 2010. Her video is expected to be ready by next week.