Cheshire

Cheshire High School Teacher Found Dead

Megumi Yamamoto, whose body was found off Mixville Road Wednesday, was a Cheshire High School English teacher.

A Cheshire High School teacher who had been reported missing was found dead in Cheshire Wednesday night, according to state police, and central district major crimes detectives are assisting with the investigation.

Police have identified the victim as 48-year-old Megumi Yamamoto. On Friday morning, the office of the chief medical examiner has not determined the cause of death. An autopsy was done and the cause and manner of death are pending further studies.

Cheshire police responded to Mixville Road, near Marion Road, at 5:17 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a report of a missing person and Cheshire police officers who responded found Yamamoto’s body soon after, according to state police and Cheshire police.

Connecticut State Police central district major crimes detectives have taken over the investigation and are working with Cheshire Police Department.

Yamamoto was a Cheshire High School English teacher. Parents who spoke with NBC Connecticut said she was well-liked by her students.

”Personally, I didn’t know her, but my son did and they went to school at Cheshire High School and she was one of his teachers and apparently she was a very good teacher, well-liked by all the students," said Joseph Levesque.

In a letter to Cheshire High School parents, Supt. Jeffrey Solan said Yamamoto, a former Cheshire teacher of the year, died Wednesday night.

“Understandably, after hearing this deeply unsettling news, Cheshire High School and our entire school community are grieving,” Solan wrote.

“You may have heard by now that one of our teachers, Ms. Yamamoto passed away unexpectedly yesterday. Details about how she passed have not been made available yet. You may have known Ms. Yamamoto or her family. This news will affect everyone differently,” the message to students said.

“We know social media is a tool for communication and some turn to social media in times of grief. Social media is public. Please be sensitive to the family and friends of Ms. Yamamoto and be reminded that rumor and speculation are hurtful and inappropriate at this time. It is important to us that you have the opportunity to process this in a way that works for you. It is absolutely normal to experience a range of emotions based on your relationships and personal experiences. There is no “right way” to experience grief and loss,” the message stated.

School counselors are available for student and grief counselors from Cheshire Social Services and therapy animals will be made available at different points over the next several days."

Authorities said there is no reason to believe there is a threat to the public, but they asked people to stay away from the area where Yamamoto was found.

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