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Emporia Teacher Found Dead in Snow After Vanishing During Winter Storm

Police cite early signs of hypothermia, with the cause to be confirmed by autopsy.

Overview

  • Rebecca Rauber, 28, a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary, was found deceased in a wooded area about 300 yards south of West 4th Avenue in Emporia.
  • Officers located her body on Sunday with help from bloodhound K-9 Daisy and specialized search teams after a multi-agency effort.
  • Surveillance footage tracked her route after leaving the Town Royal bar, showing her on West 5th Avenue and Neosho Street around 11:37 p.m., and later in the 700 block of West 4th Avenue at about 11:44 p.m.
  • Authorities said she left the bar without her phone, purse, or jacket as temperatures hovered near 3°F with wind chills near minus 13 to minus 15 degrees.
  • Detectives are processing evidence as the investigation continues, and the Emporia Public School District has arranged counseling and support for students and staff.