Austin teacher reportedly beaten to death in Nepal

Police in Nepal say they're searching a river for the body of Austin teacher Dahlia Yehia. A Nepalese police official says a man confessed to her murder.

Yehia worked as an art teacher at the Sci-Tech Preparatory Academy. Students and staff learned of her death on Friday.

According to the Find Dahlia Facebook page, the 25-year-old Yehia's family had been searching for her for a month. Their last contact was on August 6th.

The Associated Press reports that police are searching the Seti River for Yehia's body. She disappeared from the resort town of Pokhara in western Nepal. Yehia was reportedly backpacking and had traveled to Nepal to help earthquake victims.

Police say Narayan Paudel, who was hosting Yehia, confessed to the crime and described how he hammered Yehia to death and threw her body into the river. Police say they found evidence that was believed to be used to tie Yehia's body. They believe money was the motive behind the murder.

School staff in Austin are remembering Yehia, or "Miss Y" as the students called her, as a special spirit.

"It was just like her to be helping others. I mean that's just kind of who she was. And I think part of our mission is to teach our kids to be global citizens, to be aware of the world around them in the market and what's going on and I think just her branching out and going abroad just her living the mission and really just being a good person so we're definitely sad about it," Bailey Bounds, spokesperson.

Yehia's family is asking for privacy at this time.  A statement on the Find Dahlia Facebook page states in part:

"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."

"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."

"Please keep Dahlia in your thoughts and prayers."

A counselor will be at the school Tuesday to help students should they need it. A memorial will be held later this week.

You can share condolences on the school Facebook page as well here.