The body of kindergarten teacher Linda Walker was discovered hanging in her classroom in Caterville, Ill. by a coworker early this week, the Southern Illinoisan reported. The teacher reportedly performed CPR until paramedics arrived to rush Walker to a nearby hospital.
Walker was pronounced dead Tuesday morning.
Around 30 counselors are helping students at the school cope with the loss, the Daily News reported.
Adding to the community's shock is the fact that Walker hanged herself the same day funeral services were held for another Caterville kindergarten teacher.
Lynn Byrnes died on Thursday after complications arose from surgery. Byrnes suffered from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, which prevents a sufficient amount of oxygen from getting into the blood.
An obituary published in The Southern echoes the positive impact Walker had on her students and everyone else in her life:
When Linda Elaine Walker would walk into a room instantly the room became a better place. She would make people smile with her storytelling ability, laugh until it hurt with a vivid demonstration, and gladly with much love tell the story again, and again for the delight of others. These stories became real to many friends and family through her compassion she had for all who shared her life and were fortunate enough to have listened.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Linda Walker Scholarship Fund at SIU Credit Union or St. Francis Community Animal Rescue and Education, 6228 Country Club Road, Murphysboro, IL 62966.
In September, school teacher Alice Davis went missing during a weekend shopping trip. Days later, her husband Jesse Davis was found dead of a self-inflicted injury at the couple's home in Maryland.
Last year the body of 5th grade teacher Rigoberto Ruelas was found at the foot of a forest bridge in what authorities said appeared to be a suicide. Despite continued investigations, colleagues of Ruelas said he had been upset about a teacher rating.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.