Family Hoping Badly-Burned Body Is Not Of Milwaukee Teacher

MILWAUKEE, WI -- The family of Kathleen Ryan is holding out hope that she is still alive and missing after authorities in Illinois found her car on fire over the weekend, with the badly-burned body of a person inside. Authorities are working to identify the body.

Ryan's family says Ryan was last seen on Saturday, Feb. 2 in St. Francis just before she was on her way to Carmel Catholic Preparatory School in Mundelein to meet her son Zack. She never showed up.

"Thanks to all of the people who have been sharing and praying and messaging for us. We really appreciate it. Keep your eyes open. Keep looking. She is just a great person and this is a nightmare and we are hoping it will end soon," said Zack Ryan in a Fox 6 report.

Later that night, at just before 10 p.m. Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to an address along Highway 41 in the Town of Warren for a report of a vehicle on fire. According to sheriff's officials, deputies found the car near I-41 and Stearns School Road, about 10 miles northeast of Carmel Catholic High School. After an inspection of the vehicle, investigators said it belonged to Ryan.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters and sheriff’s deputies saw a badly-burned body inside the vehicle. Notification was made to the Lake County Coroner’s Office and coroner’s staff responded to the scene.

According to a Chicago Tribune report, the Lake County Coroner is going over forensic information to determine the race, gender and age of the victim.

Ryan is a business teacher at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy, located on Milwaukee's South Side. The superintendent, in a statement, said "Kathleen Ryan is a valued, respected and beloved educator and friend. We are praying for her safe return." She previously taught at Stillwater Area High School in Minnesota.

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