Army drill sergeant, 30, is found shot dead in bullet-ridden car which was stopped in the fast lane of San Antonio interstate on New Year's Day

An Army drill sergeant in Texas has been found dead in a bullet-riddled car which was stopped in the fast lane of a Texas interstate.

Sgt Jessica Mitchell, 30, had been shot multiple times in her Dodge Challenger when the vehicle was found at around 3am on Friday along Interstate 10 in San Antonio, according to Army officials. 

Authorities said they responded to the area after receiving reports of a car stranded in the fast lane.  

Mitchell, who leaves behind a 10-year-old son, was a dental specialist assigned to the US Army Medical Center of Excellence on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Sgt Jessica Mitchell (left and right), 30, was found dead in her car on New Year's Day after being shot multiple times. Police said she was killed on Interstate 10 in San Antonio

Mitchell didn't have a pulse when she was found and was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later. Images from the scene show her white Challenger riddled with bullet holes (investigators at the scene)  

She was assigned to the center in 2019 and previously served at the JBSA dental clinic. 

Maj Gen Dennis LeMaster of the Center of Excellence told the San Antonio Express-News in a statement: 'We are devastated by the tragic loss of Drill Sergeant Jessica Mitchell.'

'Our sincere condolences go out to her family and friends. We are focused on supporting Drill Sergeant Mitchell's family as well as her soldiers during this extremely difficult time.' 

Mitchell didn't have a pulse when she was found and was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later.  

Images from the scene show her white Challenger riddled with bullet holes. Authorities were seen collecting evidence from the scene and said the bullets shattered one of her windows. 

Mitchell was on holiday leave when she was killed.  

Mitchell's death marked the second time in three years that the family has been struck by tragedy. 

On June 26, 2017, her brother, Justice, 18, was gunned down at a Church's Chicken by Lamero Dunstan.  

Mitchell leaves behind her 10-year-old son, according to family members who are demanding justice for their loved one 

The Mitchell family is urging anyone with information to come forward. 'We heard there was no witnesses,' Mitchell's relative, Ashley, said. 'But it's a highway. Someone had to see something'

Mitchell's death marked the second time in three years that the family has been struck by tragedy. On June 26, 2017, her brother, Justice , 18, was gunned down at a Church's Chicken by Lamero Dunstan

Dunstan pleaded guilty to multiple charges including intentional second degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.

Mitchell's heartbroken father, Mayo, told Fox 29 that: 'I told all my children, I want you to do better than what I have done. She and my children have so far and she wanted to be the best that she can be in her military career. But that was cut short.'

No arrests have been made in the case and authorities have not released any information about a possible suspect. 

Family members and friends have come forward to speak out about their loved one's murder.

Francesca Toby, Mitchell's childhood friend, told News 4 San Antonio that: 'She was a beautiful, beautiful woman, she had a son and he's without his mom and I just want to give my prayers to his to her family, to her son, to her son's father.'

'Why would anybody want to do this,' Mitchell's sister, Ashley, asked. 'Why why why why? Why? Why do people do such heinous acts of crime for no reason? You know, like, human life is not material it cannot be replaced.' 

The Mitchell family is urging anyone with information to come forward. 

'We heard there was no witnesses,' Ashley, said. 'But it's a highway. Someone had to see something.'

The incident comes just days after partial human skeletal remains were found near Salado Creek at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

The remains were first seen on December 27 in the northeast part of the post. Air Force Office of Special Investigations did not disclose details on the body, including gender, personal effects or if the person had died recently.

'It's too premature at this time, and they were partial remains,' said Maj Kim Bender, a JBSA spokeswoman.

Air Force officials said they are working with San Antonio-area police agencies. Currently no one is missing from any of the services at the joint base.

It is unclear how a body would show up on Fort Sam's grounds. The post, like the other two joint bases in the area — Randolph and Lackland — is gated and closed to the public.

There's been no word from local law enforcement about whether the body may be connected with a Bexar County missing persons case.