Shock Ripples Through a Community After the Body of a Beloved Teacher Is Discovered Inside an Elementary School — With Officials Now Believing She May Have Been There for Days Before Anyone Noticed… The heartbreaking discovery was made just before classes were set to begin, leaving students, parents, and staff stunned. Authorities say the teacher, widely admired in the community, may have been inside the school for several days before her body was found. As investigators work to understand exactly what happened, the tragic situation has left many grappling with both grief and unanswered questions.

A longtime teacher was found dead inside a Maryland elementary school, prompting administrators to send students home early.

On the morning of Monday, March 9, Deborah Tolson, a 75-year-old math interventionist, was found dead inside Arundel Elementary School, where she worked for seven years in Baltimore, Fox affiliate WBFF, CBS affiliate WJZ and NBC affiliate WBAL reported.

Following the tragic discovery, students were dismissed at 10:15 a.m. local time, according to the reports.

Officials told WBAL that the instructor is believed to have died over the weekend, and her body was found before school started. There were no signs of foul play or trauma, and an investigation is ongoing, the outlet reported.

A spokesperson for the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirms to PEOPLE that Tolson died of natural causes, specifically intracerebral hemorrhage.

The Baltimore Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

In a letter shared with the school community and reviewed by PEOPLE, Kerry-Ann Malcolm, the principal of the school, said that Tolson worked at Baltimore City Public Schools for 23 years. The educator worked at Arundel Elementary School for seven years, and she “was a very beloved member of our school community.”

“A pillar of the school community, she was beloved by both students and staff,” the principal continued.

A crisis team from the district will be available to support students and staff.

“Our hearts and thoughts remain with Ms. Tolson’s family and friends, as well as our entire school community, in this difficult time,” Malcolm added.