Emporia, Kansas, January 26, 2026
The Emporia community is grieving the tragic loss of Rebecca Rauber, a second-grade teacher whose body was discovered after going missing during severe winter weather. Authorities believe she may have succumbed to hypothermia during the snowstorm. Ms. Rauber was last seen leaving a local bar and was found in a wooded area not far from where she was last spotted. The school district has expressed condolences, offering support to students and staff affected by the loss.
Emporia, Kansas – The community of Emporia is mourning the loss of a beloved elementary school teacher whose body was discovered Sunday after she went missing during severe winter weather conditions. Authorities have identified the deceased as Rebecca Rauber, a 28-year-old second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School. Preliminary findings suggest Ms. Rauber may have died from hypothermia, as she was found covered in snow in a wooded area.
Tragic Discovery Follows Intensive Search
Ms. Rauber was reported missing early Saturday morning, January 24, 2026, after she was last seen leaving a downtown Emporia establishment late Friday night. The Emporia Police Department (EPD) confirmed her discovery on Sunday, January 25, 2026, approximately 300 yards south of West 4th Avenue, a wooded location not far from where she was last observed on surveillance footage.
Timeline of Events
According to police reports, Ms. Rauber arrived at the Town Royal bar, located in the 400 block of Commercial Street, around 11:00 p.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026. She was last seen on video surveillance walking alone, westbound on West 5th Avenue, at approximately 11:37 p.m., then north on Neosho Street from West 5th Avenue. She reportedly left the bar without her personal belongings, including her purse, phone, and jacket.
The Emporia Police Department received a missing person report at 1:13 a.m. on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and immediately launched a search effort. Search teams utilized business surveillance cameras and conducted investigative interviews. The search involved a multi-agency effort, with assistance from the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue of Kansas (including K9 units), and the Lyon County Communications Center.
Search conditions were significantly challenging due to a major winter storm, identified as Winter Storm Fern, which brought heavy snowfall and dangerously cold temperatures to eastern Kansas. The snowstorm intensified on Saturday, January 24, and temperatures were around 3 degrees Fahrenheit with wind chills dropping to approximately -13 degrees Fahrenheit at the time Ms. Rauber left the bar.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Impact
While preliminary indications point to hypothermia as the cause of death, the Emporia Police Department emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and detectives are processing the scene. No foul play is suspected at this stage, and no final cause of death has been officially released pending further investigative and forensic work.
The passing of Ms. Rauber has deeply affected the Emporia community, particularly USD 253 Emporia Public Schools. The school district issued a statement expressing profound condolences to Ms. Rauber’s family, friends, and students, recognizing her as a valued member of their educational community. Counselors and district support teams will be available at schools to provide care and assistance to students and staff as they cope with this difficult news. A prayer service has also been organized in her memory.
Regional Winter Storm Conditions
The winter storm that impacted Emporia was part of a larger weather system that affected vast areas of the United States. A Winter Storm Warning was in effect for eastern Kansas from Friday evening, January 23, 2026, to Sunday evening, January 25, 2026, with snowfall accumulations ranging from 3 to 8 inches and wind chills potentially reaching -20 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme cold and heavy snow led to hazardous driving conditions across the region.
The community continues to extend its support to Ms. Rauber’s family during this challenging time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of the teacher who was found deceased?
The teacher found deceased was Rebecca Rauber, a 28-year-old second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School.
Where was Rebecca Rauber found?
Rebecca Rauber was found deceased in a wooded area approximately 300 yards south of West 4th Avenue in Emporia, Kansas.
When was Rebecca Rauber last seen?
Rebecca Rauber was last seen on Friday, January 23, 2026, around 11:37 p.m. to 11:44 p.m., walking alone near a bar in downtown Emporia, Kansas.
What is the suspected cause of death?
Preliminary findings suggest Rebecca Rauber may have succumbed to hypothermia due to the severe winter weather and snowstorm.
What were the weather conditions when she went missing?
When Rebecca Rauber went missing, air temperatures were around 3 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -13 degrees Fahrenheit, and a snowstorm became heavy on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
What was Rebecca Rauber’s profession?
Rebecca Rauber was a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School in Emporia, Kansas.
Is foul play suspected in her death?
Authorities have not indicated that foul play is suspected at this stage of the ongoing investigation.
Key Details of Rebecca Rauber’s Disappearance and Discovery
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Rebecca Rauber |
| Age | 28 years old |
| Profession | Second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School |
| Last Seen Date | Friday, January 23, 2026 |
| Last Seen Time & Location | Around 11:37 p.m. – 11:44 p.m. near Town Royal bar (405 Commercial Street), walking alone on West 5th Avenue then Neosho Street, Emporia, Kansas. |
| Missing Person Report Filed | Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 1:13 a.m. |
| Discovery Date | Sunday, January 25, 2026 |
| Discovery Location | Wooded area approximately 300 yards south of West 4th Avenue, Emporia, Kansas. |
| Suspected Cause of Death | Hypothermia |
| Contributing Factors | Left bar without jacket during severe snowstorm (Winter Storm Fern), cold temperatures (3°F) and significant wind chill (-13°F). |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing; no foul play suspected preliminarily. |
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