Art Teacher from Michigan Killed in Nepal

By STEPHANIE GASKELL and BETH DALBEY

A Michigan woman who had been teaching art at a Texas prep school was found dead last week in Nepal, where she had been missing since Aug. 6.

The U.S. Embassy confirmed 25-year-old Dahlia Yehia’s death, the family said on its Facebook page, Find Dahlia.

“Recently, we received word from the US Embassy that Dahlia’s life has been taken from us. We do not have any further details at this time and are asking for everyone to respect the privacy for her family.”

“We are devastated by this senseless loss of a beautiful life. For those who haven’t had the joy of spending time with Dahlia, know that she is a giver, lover, and humanitarian, who devoted her life to others less fortunate both domestic and abroad.”

Nepalese officials told CNN that said a man hosting Yehia in his home confessed to beating her to death and dumping her body in a river. The man said he met Yehia online.

Yehia had traveled to Nepal earlier this summer to help rebuild after the devastating earthquake that killed thousands of people in April.

“Even though Dahlia was taken from us much too soon, she surely made her mark on the world, and will be remembered lovingly by all of us,” the family said.

Yehia taught at Sci-Tech Prep in South Austin, TX, last year. The school released a statement on its Facebook page:

“Dahlia Yehia, our art teacher last year, had been missing for almost a month in Nepal where she had been on a backpacking trip. Dahlia’s family posted today that the US Embassy notified them that she died. She was only 25 years old. The kids loved having her for their art teacher last year, especially the high school kids who went to the graffiti park downtown on city buses with their backpacks loaded with cans of spray paint!! We are all saddened by the loss of such a special spirit!”

Yehia was a 2011 graduate of Kalamazoo College. In a statement to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the college said:

“The College is saddened to learn of the death of Dahlia Yehia. … At K, Dahlia earned her bachelor’s degree in art, and she studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador. She was active in community service and interested in literature and mathematics. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Dahlia’s friends and family during this difficult time.”

Yehia was a graduate of Portage Central High School.

The school’s assistant principal, Jason Frink, said the entire staff has been hit hard by the death of Yehia, who he described as “an outstanding scholar, athlete and artist.”

“She was a strong woman who desired to make the world a better place,” Frink said in a statement. “As a high school student she used part of her senior art project to inform people about the plight of child soldiers in Uganda – years before the issue was gaining national attention. She continued humanitarian work throughout her life. Though she will be greatly missed, she will continue to inspire us.

Officials at the Sci-Tech Preparatory School in South Austin said they are planning a memorial for next week. “Please keep Ms Y’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this time of grief and loss.”