A former teacher is remembering Nahomi Rodriguez as a young woman with big dreams, years after her death remains unsolved.

Lali Betancourt taught Nahomi at a San Benito CISD campus that once served as an alternative campus for the San Benito school district.

"This campus at one point was an alternative campus for the San Benito school district," Betancourt said. "That's how we knew Nahomi. Nahomi was one of our students here."

Betancourt remembers Nahomi as bright and diligent, a student every teacher would want in their class.

"Naomi graduated with us in 2016, and then she looked forward to going to college," Betancourt said.

Rodriguez was last seen at a McDonald's on Sunshine Strip in Harlingen on July 17, 2016. Surveillance video shows her getting into an SUV around 1:30 a.m. after finishing her shift.

In April 2017, her remains were found in a drainage ditch near Rio Hondo. No charges have ever been filed in connection to her death.

Investigator Jacob Perez of the Harlingen Police Department was assigned the case four years ago. He is now the fifth lead investigator to take over.

"There was never a time this investigation has stopped," Perez said.

The department is retesting evidence collected 10 years ago using new technology that was not available in 2016. Investigators hope to use AI to track phone data.

READ MORE: Cameron County investigators using new technology on Nahomi Rodriguez case

Cameron County District Attorney Luis Saenz said the new technology has helped the case move forward more in the last year and a half than in years prior.

"We have received additional information that is helping us move forward in the case, and I remain hopeful," Saenz said. "Harlingen PD remains hopeful, and I want to reassure the family that we continue to work on this case. It is a case of high priority, and we will stay with it until the end."

Miguel Angel Flores is the only publicly identified person of interest. He is currently serving prison time in an unrelated case.

Saenz said investigators still need more evidence to ensure that if Flores is responsible, he is convicted for Rodriguez's death.

"His projected release time is in 2033, so there is plenty of time for us to keep working on the case," Saenz said. "My hopeful expectation is that, before that day, we'll have enough information to move forward on this case."

Channel 5 News reached out to Rodriguez's family for comment, but they declined to speak.

Investigators believe someone still has the missing pieces of the case. A $25,000 reward is available for information leading to an arrest.

Betancourt said she hopes the crime is solved but also wants Nahomi to be remembered for more than her death.

“I still get emotional. It still breaks my heart,” Betancourt said. “I don't believe any family deserves to go through this."

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