An investigation is underway after a woman was found unclothed with facial injuries at the Tobin Park Trailhead on San Antonio’s Northeast Side; the San Antonio Police Department says she had walked to a gas station near Loop 410 and Starcrest Drive and used the trailhead as a shortcut. The woman told officers she woke up in the park two days later, and authorities are still trying to piece together what happened between those moments. Local visitors at Tobin Park, including Ireana Kelly, Mike Thompson and Josh Poston, are urging better lighting and safer conditions along the trailhead while city officials have been asked about how park improvements are decided.
Police first learned about the situation after the woman returned to her apartment just before 11 p.m. on Monday, according to the department. She said she had walked to a nearby gas station and then used the trailhead area at Tobin Park on her way home. The timeline is confusing; she later told officers she woke up Wednesday morning in the park, and investigators are treating the case as a potential sexual assault while they sort out what happened during that gap.
Authorities have not released many details about the scene or any potential suspects, and officers are urging anyone with information to come forward. For now, detectives are focused on forensic leads and witness accounts that could clarify where the woman was and who she might have encountered. The department emphasizes that the investigation is ongoing and that they cannot rule anything in or out until more evidence is gathered.
The incident has reignited concerns about lighting along the Tobin Park Trailhead, where patches of trail can get very dark after sunset. Regular visitors say the wooded back areas become especially dim and that a few well-placed lights would change how safe people feel using the trail in the evening. Those concerns are amplified by the broader reality that poorly lit parks often deter neighborhood foot traffic and make it harder for people to notice suspicious behavior early.
Local voices are blunt about what they want. “I do recommend a little bit of lighting in the back because it’s all woods back there,” visitor Ireana Kelly said. “All parks need to have better safety for everyone.” Folks who use the trail daily say small improvements could make a big difference to whether people feel comfortable walking after work or at dusk.
Others warn that awareness matters too, not just fixtures. “There is no lights out here,” visitor Mike Thompson said, “but also you want to be mindful.” Thompson and other regulars say people should avoid using isolated shortcuts at night until the park is better lit and patrols increase. Residents describe a mix of frustration and caution — they want action, but they also plan their routes with personal safety in mind.
There’s also a chorus of practical suggestions from people who would return to the park if conditions improved. “I would love to see more lighting out here,” visitor Josh Poston said. “I probably will come out for an evening walk if there was.” Community members say that visible maintenance, clear sightlines and regular checks by park staff or officers would encourage more families and neighbors to use the space safely.
City Parks and Recreation Department officials were asked about how decisions are made for park upgrades like lighting and what the timeline might look like for changes at Tobin Park, but there was no response by publication. For now, residents are left to weigh the benefits of the shortcut against their concerns for safety. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
