Kindergarten teacher missing since February car crash found dead in Oregon River: 'A beacon'

Rachel Merchant-Ly's body was found about 7.5 miles downstream from the crash site, the sheriff's office said.

• Rachel Merchant-Ly's body was found nearly two months after she disappeared in a car crash in February, authorities said.

• On Friday, April 19, a volunteer found Merchant-Ly's body in the North Umpqua River, about 7.5 miles downstream from the crash site.

• The kindergarten teacher's “dedication to her students, family and community is unmatched,” according to a GoFundMe fundraiser

A kindergarten teacher was found dead in an Oregon river nearly two months after her body disappeared in a car crash, authorities said.

Rachel Merchant-Ly, 27, was reported missing Feb. 29 when she failed to arrive for work at Glide Elementary School, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post.

“Later that morning, a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy located signs of a traffic accident near milepost 41 on Highway 138E, the sheriff's office said. “Friday, March 1, 2024 , Merchant-Ly's vehicle was recovered from the North Umpqua River, but she was not found inside.”

Since his disappearance, authorities have said numerous searches have been carried out by sea, land and air, without success.

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During a “large-scale search” on Friday, April 19, authorities said a community volunteer located Merchant-Ly's body in the river about 7.5 miles downstream from the crash site.

“Officers confirmed the presence of the body and began coordinating recovery efforts,” officers said. “The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office responded and confirmed the body was that of Rachel Merchant-Ly.”

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According to a GoFundMe fundraiser conducted during the ongoing search for the 27-year-old, Rachel has been described as “an exceptional teacher” and “a beacon of light in our community.”

“His dedication to his students, his family and his community is second to none,” the tribute reads. “Even in the face of adversity, she has always put her heart and soul into everything she does. »

PEOPLE reached out to the school district for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

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As of Tuesday, April 23, nearly $17,000 had been raised to provide assistance with the “emotional and financial toll of this tragedy.”

“Rachel’s family is seeking support during this difficult time. Rachel's husband, Hao Ly, describes her as an incredible and cherished soul, with a dazzling smile that could brighten anyone's day,” the fundraiser added. “She brought joy to everyone she knew, loving each person for who they are. »

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In March, Hao detailed their last conversation on his Facebook page.

“You know what really gets me going right now?” Hao wrote at the time. “The way she said ‘I love you Howie!’ and the volume with which she rolled up the window and pulled out of the driveway. It makes my heart beat faster. That’s the last thing I heard from her.”

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