On October 11, 2023, Amanda Webster was reported missing during her solo vacation in Naguabo, Puerto Rico.

Forty-four-year-old Webster was a teacher at Thompson Crossing Elementary in Indiana and was always having an adventure. She often vacationed alone and was good at communicating with her friends and family about any of her plans. “You know, we were living a little bit through her adventures,” said Heather Clark, Webster’s best friend.

The last time she was heard from was about the hike she would be achieving, which was a trail a good distance from her Airbnb. As her peers awaited her follow-up, it never happened; the rest of the week was silent.

Following her disappearance, her Airbnb host reported her missing because her car and all her belongings were still at the house, including there being no payment for renting. An Ashanti Alert, an Amber Alert for adults, was sent out in her honor on October 11.

When her family heard the news, they were distraught and immediately assumed the worst. So, the US Forestry Service set out to search for Webster where she was reportedly last seen; the rainforest of Casa Parcha.

After intense searching of the trail, they moved down to the river of Rio Blanco, where they discovered a body floating face down. There could be no identification with bare eyes because decomposition had already taken its mark. To help get justice for his or another family, Webster’s brother traveled to Puerto Rico ready to give a DNA sample and also provided the Institute of Forensic Science her dental records. 

Although it’s heartbreaking, Webster’s family could be hoping for the DNA to match up, otherwise, there will never be closure.  A statement from the district read, in part, “Amanda was an amazing teacher who was a champion for every student she came in contact with. We are all better off for knowing Amanda.” Her students and all of her peers say they are better for knowing her, and her influence was the best they had.