Badly Burned Body Identified As Former Stillwater Teacher

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A body found badly burned in a car fire in northeastern Illinois has been identified as a former Stillwater teacher. Kathleen Ryan, 56, was living and teaching in Milwaukee when she was reported missing earlier this month.

On Feb. 5, the Lake County Coroner’s Office conducted an autopsy on the remains recovered from a burned vehicle. "Through dental records we positively identified the body as Kathleen Ryan," Lake County coroner doctor Howard Cooper said in a statement.

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"I am awaiting additional testing before releasing the preliminary cause of Kathleen’s death. I have been in close communication with the Ryan family and extend my deepest condolences to them."

On Feb. 2 just before 10 p.m., Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address in Warren Township on a report of a vehicle fire. After the blaze was extinguished, firefighters and sheriff’s deputies found a badly burned body inside the car.

Authorities said the car belonged to Ryan.

Before teaching at Milwaukee's Augustine Prep, Ryan was the economics curriculum director for Stillwater Area Public Schools. She also taught micro economics and macro economics to Stillwater Area High School seniors, according to her bio.

It's not yet clear what caused the car fire.

"Our detectives continue working with the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Milwaukee Police Department, and Office of the State Fire Marshal to determine what happened," Sheriff John Idleburg said.

"We know Kathleen was very loved by her family and those who knew her, and we are working diligently to find answers for them."

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