MEMPHIS, Tenn. — WREG Investigators have been digging deeper to answer questions loved ones and the community continues to ask about a mother who was found dead in a large retention pond in East Shelby County.
Thursday, the Collierville restaurant where Kristen Fundo’s husband said she was meeting a friend said they are cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
NEW, FRIDAY: Collierville PD investigating reports of drink tampering at two restaurants
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said early Saturday morning, their diving team found Fundo’s body in a SUV submerged in the retention pond off Grays Mill Drive, in the back of a neighborhood off Walnut Grove.
Her husband told Your News Leader it was near a family member’s home and about seven miles from the restaurant where Fundo had been earlier Friday night.
Fundo had told him she was meeting a friend at Casa Mexicana in Collierville, and her husband said the bill shows she had two margaritas and food during the more than two-hour dinner.
He said he was out of the country, but his wife seemed fine when he talked to her around 7 p.m. He checked in about an hour later and saw her location near the pond.
He showed us the series of text messages he then sent letting her know his brother would be “driving by that location to see if the truck is there.” An hour after that, he wrote, “I love you. I hope you’re ok. I’m panicking really bad.”
Collierville police stated Saturday evening someone filed a report about “possibly someone drugging them” on the same night, and at same restaurant, where Fundo and her friend were.
They wouldn’t give further details, nor would they say if it could be connected to Fundo’s fatal crash. They only stated, “We will not release reports while they are under investigation” and added it could be another “6 months or so.”
Thursday, the manager of Casa Mexicana told Your News Leader they were deeply sorry to hear the news. While he wasn’t aware of the possible drugging report, he could confirm they are working and cooperating with authorities including the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. A state spokesperson said they have opened an investigation.
SCSO said its investigation is ongoing too. While they didn’t see signs of foul play, an autopsy is being conducted. At this point, “an official cause of death hasn’t been determined.”
They said the vehicle in the pond was “implicated in an earlier hit and run.” We checked again Thursday, but they’ve yet to provide any further details.
The crash report shows a rendering of the Fundo’s route. Her vehicle veered off the road and into the water. How and why she wound up there still remains unclear.
A family is now searching for answers. The grief unbearable.
Fundo was just 35 years old. She was a mother and wife. She was known for her kindness and endless love.
Her husband said a family member started a GoFundMe to help with funeral and other expenses. If you want to help, click here.