A missing Kansas woman was found dead in the woods under a blanket of snow after local surveillance footage captured her leaving a bar the evening of Friday, January 23, according to police.
Police officers and a K9 search team found the body of Rebecca Rauber, 28, about 300 yards away from where she was “last seen on video” in Emporia, the Emporia Police Department said in a Sunday, January 25, news release.
Authorities believe Rauber may have died of hypothermia “early on in her disappearance as she was covered in snow due to the snowstorm that became heavy on Saturday, January 24th,” police said.
Rauber taught second grade at Riverside Elementary School in Emporia, according to The Bulletin, Emporia State University’s student newspaper. Emporia is about a 90-mile drive northeast from Wichita.
In a statement provided to Us Weekly on Monday, January 26, Emporia Public Schools said that the school district “is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of our staff member, Ms. Rebecca Rauber.”
“Our hearts go out to Ms. Rauber’s family, friends, students, and everyone who was touched by her life and dedication to education,” the statement continued. “She was a valued member of our school community, and her loss is felt deeply across our district.”
Rauber disappeared after she left Town Royal Bar the evening of January 23, according to police.
She left her purse, phone and jacket behind, police said.
Surveillance footage from a home in the area showed Rauber walking alone around 11:37 p.m. that night, according to police.
As of the evening of January 25, detectives were “processing the scene” where Rauber’s body was found, police said.
Rauber’s family has been informed of her death, according to authorities.
“We want to thank our community for the outpouring of care and assistance during this situation,” the Emporia Police Department said.
“Our hearts and prayers are truly with the Rauber family.”
Rauber attended Emporia State University, where she graduated with a master’s degree in “instructional specialist” in the spring of 2025, according to The Bulletin. In 2020, she earned two bachelor’s degrees: elementary education and modern languages with a focus in Spanish.
In the statement on her death, Emporia Public Schools said, “At this time, we are focused on supporting our students and staff as they process this difficult news.”
“Counselors and district support teams will be available at our schools to provide care and assistance for anyone who needs it,” the district added.
Over the weekend, a major snow storm affecting several U.S. states, across the southwest to the northeast, began in north-central Kansas the evening of January 23, The Topeka Capital Journal reported. The snow continued into Saturday in the state.
Twelve additional winter storm related deaths occurred in Pennsylvania, where three people died; in Louisiana, where there were two deaths; in Texas, where two people died; Massachusetts, where one person died; and in Arkansas, where there was another death, local officials reported, according to NBC News.
As of the morning of January 26, more than 820,000 people were experiencing a power outage as a result of the weather, NBC News reported. This includes more than 250,000 residents in Tennessee.
