Raw video: Quanell X on body dismembered | Seized drug money used for search, Rucks Russell reports | Wendell Edward's report from the vigil | Jeff McSchan's update on search plan

Friends and family of missing Aggie Tynesha Stewart describe the man charged with her murder as jealous and controlling.

They say Timothy Shepherd, who police said confessed to strangling and dismembering the young coed last week and throwing her remains in dumpsters, was stalking Stewart prior to her death.

Authorities say the search for Stewart's body could begin next Wednesday at a landfill in Houston and another in Brazoria County.

The decision comes after intense pressure prompted county commissioners to approve emergency funding for the search.

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The volunteer search organization Texas Equusearch announced Friday it was set to launch an extensive search for Stewart.

It was an amazing turn of events, because just a day earlier the Harris County Sheriff’s Office announced that a search would be too costly and practically impossible. However, an overwhelming response from the community, which at one point tied up the sheriff’s office phone lines, made a big difference.

Even Texas A&M’s vice president for student affairs called the sheriff’s office to say his office had been flooded with calls from former students offering to help – financially or otherwise – conduct a search.

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Tynesha Stewart

The community’s message was clear: At least try to find Stewart.

Even national political leaders put on the pressure.

“I have to accept the community’s outrage. I accept it (and) I am ashamed by our initial steps taken by our law enforcement,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee.

In what could only be considered a change of heart Sheriff Tommy Thomas asked the Harris County Commissioner’s Court for $500,000 in drug seizure money to fund a search. Commissioners in an emergency called meeting gave unanimous approval to the expenditure.

On Monday the sheriff’s office, Texas Equusearch and the landfills’ operator Waste Management will meet to go over a plan. Already an area of a landfill in Atascocita had been marked off in preparation for a search. The same was being done at a landfill in Brazoria County. Miller already put out a call for volunteers.

“Of course we would all like to start tomorrow, but that is impossible. Right now, we are for sure going to start Wednesday,” he said.

Those who will be directly at the site going through the tons of debris will have to take extra precautions.

“They’ll have to get proper vaccinations, proper certification as well as protective gear,” said Michael Lavengco of Waste Management.

Jackson-Lee said the planned search also sends another message. “Criminals can’t now dump in dumpsters and say that’s the way to get rid of my evidence because no one will ever search again,” she said.

Earlier in the day, the suspect in Stewart’s disappearance and likely murder, Tim Shepherd, appeared before a judge. Investigators said the woman’s ex-boyfriend had admitted to killing Stewart and dumping her body in trash bins.

Officials said too he is under a suicide watch after having tried to kill himself. Defense attorney Chip Lewis argued that Shepherd’s bond was too high.

Shepherd will appear in court again Monday.

Meanwhile dozens of Texas A&M students attended a vigil at the university campus in Bryan-College Station where Stewart was remembered as someone who wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.