A Kansas elementary school teacher has been found dead in the snow amid a massive winter storm that has spread throughout the country.
Rebecca Rauber, 28, an elementary school teacher in Emporia, was found dead in a wooded area about 300 yards from where she was last seen on surveillance footage late Friday night.
Police say they believe she died of hypothermia, as she was fully covered in snow due to the heavy storm on Saturday that brought an estimated foot of slush.
She was found dead with the help of a K9 officer, KWCH reports.
Police Chief Edward Owens said it was ‘not the outcome that we had all hoped and prayed for, but our thoughts and prayers are with that family.’
He added that he wishes ‘we could have found her a little sooner.’
Rauber’s death now marks the 13th fatality related to the snow storm.
She was reported missing early Saturday morning after she left the Town Royal bar on foot without her purse, phone or a jacket.
The teacher was later caught on surveillance footage walking north on Neosho Street from West 5th Avenue at around 11.37pm.
Rebecca Rauber, 28, an elementary school teacher in Emporia, was found dead on Sunday
Rauber was reported missing early Saturday morning after she left the Town Royal bar on foot without her purse, phone or a jacket
Police believe she died of hypothermia, as she was covered in snow amid a massive winter storm gripping the nation
Rauber is listed on Emporia Public School’s website as a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School.
She graduated Emporia State University in spring 2025 with a master’s degree in instructional specialist and in 2020 with two bachelor’s degrees – one in elementary education and another in modern languages, with a concentration in Spanish, the Bulletin reports.
Rauber also served as a mentor-teacher for the Teacher’s College this past spring.
As news of her unexpected passing spread, community members shared their memories of the beloved teacher online.
‘She was my son’s second-grade teacher!!!’ one woman wrote on Facebook. ‘He loved her so much, would always say how she was so nice to him and would send him back home with nice notes from school.’
Lacy Jordan Brokaw also wrote that she got to work with Rauber first-hand.
‘My heart aches for Rebecca’s family, friends and students tonight,’ she wrote.
‘I had the pleasure of serving as her student teaching mentor during her undergrad,’ Brokaw continued. ‘During that semester, I got to know her and see firsthand what an absolute treasure of a person and an amazing educator she was.
‘Becca will be remembered for the genuine connection she made with people, her bubbly personality and how she was loved by all,’ she concluded. ‘We [love] you Miss Rauber and we will always remember you.’
Rauber is listed on Emporia Public School’s website as a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School in Emporia, Kansas
Emporia Public Schools officials said they will now be offering counseling to students and staff members in need.
‘Our hearts are with Ms Rauber’s family, friends, students and all who were touched by her life and dedication to education,’ district officials said in a statement.
‘She was a valued member of our school community and her loss is felt deeply across our district.’
