American Teacher Killed in Japan Tsunami

An American English teacher missing in Japan since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami has been found dead.  The parents of 24-year-old Tracy Anderson says their daughter’s body was found in Ishinomaki, a city in Miyagi Prefecture.

Anderson was last seen after the earthquake leaving the elementary school where she had taught for the past 3 years. She was bicycling home. It is unclear if she reached her home before the tsunami hit.

“It is with deep regret that we inform you that earlier this morning we received a call from the U.S. Embassy in Japan that they had found our beloved Taylor's body,” Anderson’s family said in a statement. “We would like to thank all those whose prayers and support have carried us through this crisis. Please continue to pray for all who remain missing and for the people of Japan. We ask that you respect our privacy during this hard time.”

Anderson is the first known American casualty in the disaster. Japanese officials have put the official death toll at 8,649, but the number of dead is expected to rise as more than 13,000 people remain missing. Rescue teams continue to dig through rubble looking for survivors and bodies.

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