Missing Oregon Kindergarten Teacher Found Dead in River Nearly 8 Miles from Car Crash Site

The body of Rachel Merchant-Ly, a 27-year-old kindergarten teacher from Oregon who had been missing since February 29, 2024, was found in the North Umpqua River on April 19, 2024, nearly 8 miles downstream from the site of a car crash on Highway 138E. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the incident.

Merchant-Ly, who taught at Glide Elementary School, was reported missing after she failed to show up for work on February 29. That same day, a deputy located signs of a vehicle crash on Highway 138E near Milepost 41. Merchant-Ly's vehicle was recovered from the North Umpqua River the following day, but she was not found inside.

After extensive searches by water, land, and air, a volunteer found Merchant-Ly's body in the river on April 19, approximately 7.5 miles downstream from the crash site. The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the body as Merchant-Ly's.

Why this matters: The tragic disappearance and death of Rachel Merchant-Ly has deeply affected the tight-knit community of Glide, Oregon, where she was a beloved kindergarten teacher. The incident highlights the dangers of driving on rural highways and the importance of swift and thorough search and rescue efforts in missing persons cases.

Merchant-Ly was described as an exceptional teacher and a "guiding light" in the community, dedicated to her students, family, and community. Her husband, Hao Ly, expressed the profound impact of her loss, recalling the last time he saw her and saying he would love to hear "the clicking of her heels" in their house again. The Glide School District held a candlelight vigil for Merchant-Ly about a month after her disappearance.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office expressed appreciation for the dedicated efforts of deputies, search and rescue volunteers, agency partners, and community members who worked tirelessly to find Merchant-Ly. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to support her family during this tragic time.

Key Takeaways

• Rachel Merchant-Ly, 27, a kindergarten teacher, went missing on Feb 29, 2024.
• Her body was found in the North Umpqua River on April 19, 2024, 8 miles downstream.
• Her vehicle was recovered the day after she went missing, but she was not found.
• The incident highlights the dangers of rural highways and the importance of search efforts.
• Merchant-Ly was a beloved teacher, and a GoFundMe has been set up to support her family.