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Amid a fierce winter storm sweeping the Midwest, a Kansas elementary school teacher who had been reported missing was tragically found deceased in the snow.
Rebecca Rauber, 28, was located on January 25, in a wooded area merely 300 feet from her last known location, as seen on surveillance footage, walking home from a bar in Emporia, Kansas, two days prior, according to a statement by the Emporia Police Department.
Authorities suggested that Rauber likely fell victim to hypothermia soon after her disappearance. “She was covered in snow due to the heavy snowstorm that intensified on Saturday, January 24th,” police explained.
The teacher vanished shortly after 11:30 p.m. on January 23, having left the Town Royal bar on foot without her personal belongings, including her purse, phone, or jacket. At that time, conditions were brutal, with temperatures plummeting to 3 degrees and a wind chill reaching -13.
Surveillance footage captured Rauber walking alone, last seen around 11:44 p.m. along W. 4th Avenue. In response, police launched an immediate search operation for the missing woman, employing K-9 units to assist in the efforts.
Police said Rauber was spotted on surveillance video walking alone. She was last spotted at approximately 11:44 p.m. walking along W. 4th Avenue. Police quickly launched a search effort to find the missing 28-year-old, utilizing K-9s to aid in the search effort.
She was discovered dead Sunday in a wooded area about 300 yards from where she was last seen on surveillance footage.
Although the investigation into her death remains ongoing, police suspect she died from hypothermia.
In the wake of the tragedy, Emporia Police thanked the multiple agencies that came together to help in the search effort, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue of Kansas.
“All of the agencies listed poured many hours of manpower, involving many resources in the hope of positive outcome,” police said in its statement posted to Facebook. “Our hearts and prayers are truly with the Rauber family.”
School District Mourns “Valued Member” of Their Community
Rauber had been a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School in Emporia.
The Emporia Public Schools offered their condolences to her family and students in a statement issued Jan. 25.
“Our hearts are with Ms. Rauber’s family, friends, students, and all who were touched by her life and dedication to education,” the district said, according to KVOE. “She was a valued member of our school community, and her loss is felt deeply across our district.”
The district plans to have counselors and district support teams available to help those grieving the loss.
