EL PASO, Texas -- Mexican police have confirmed that a 19-year-old El Paso woman was found dead in Juarez on Monday.

Mexican officials identify the victim as Esmeralda Jasmine Portillo. She was found in a rain pond with her throat slashed.

Socorro Independent School District confirmed to KFOX Thursday that they had a former student with the same name and age. The student attended El Dorado High School then transferred to Options High School.

One former classmate described Portillo as a happy person.

"She was just really outgoing, and she would speak loudly so you could hear her," the classmate said. "I remember her really happy and talkative and really down to earth and really loving and caring."

KFOX is working to confirm that the SISD student is the same homicide victim found in Juarez. Juarez police told KFOX the killing is possibly drug related.

"Scary, it's shocking, it really makes you think,” the classmate said.