A 28-year-old elementary school teacher who went missing after leaving a downtown bar in Kansas was found dead in a wooded area near where she was last seen, authorities said on Sunday. Early indications suggest she may have died from hypothermia as a severe snowstorm gripped the region.
The Emporia Police Department said officers, assisted by K-9 teams, located the body of Rebecca Rauber about 300 yards south of West 4th Avenue in Emporia. The area is close to where surveillance footage last captured her movements late on Friday night.
Left bar without jacket or phone
Police said Rauber was reported missing early Saturday after she left the Town Royal bar on foot, without her phone, purse or jacket. Investigators reviewing surveillance footage saw her walking alone westbound on West 5th Avenue late Friday night.
Additional residential footage later showed her walking north on Neosho Street at around 11.37 pm. Further video placed her in the 700 block of West 4th Avenue at approximately 11.44 pm — close to the location where her body was found.
Severe cold during search
Authorities said Rauber’s body was covered in snow when discovered. Temperatures had reportedly dropped into single digits that night, with wind chills nearing minus 15 degrees Celsius, raising concerns that she may have succumbed to the extreme cold.
The investigation into her death remains ongoing, and officials said no conclusions have yet been drawn. Her family has been informed.
Community mourns loss
In a statement, police thanked multiple agencies, including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Search and Rescue teams, for their extensive efforts.
Emporia Public Schools described Rauber as a valued member of the school community and said counsellors and support teams would be available to help students and staff cope with the loss.