ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) - Vermont police found a body in a remote area Monday that they believe is that of a beloved teacher at a prestigious New England boarding school whose SUV was found running with her unharmed 2-year-old inside.
The discovery sent shudders of grief and anxiety through the town's few thousand residents, especially after authorities acknowledged they did not know whether the disappearance of 33-year-old single mother Melissa Jenkins was isolated.
Throughout Monday, townsfolk had converged at the restaurant where Jenkins worked part-time seeking, seeking solace and updates. As they braved bone-chilling winds for an evening candlelight service, news about the discovery of the body began filtering through the crowd.
"She would do anything for anybody. She definitely will be greatly missed," said Ron Craig, of Peacham, who said he and his wife occasionally baby-sat Jenkins' son.
"It's scary that police do not know if this is an isolated incident," he added. "We've been locking our doors all the time because you just don't know what's going to happen."
Authorities will continue to seek a suspect, Vermont State Police Maj. Ed Ledo said at a news conference Monday night. He said the public should be vigilant.
He would not give details on the condition of the body found in Barnet, a town not far St. Johnsbury, where Jenkins' vehicle was discovered Sunday evening near signs of a struggle. An autopsy was planned for Tuesday.
A friend who was looking for Jenkins called police Sunday night. Her vehicle was found not far from her home in a rural area at 11:30 p.m.
Jenkins taught science at St. Johnsbury Academy, a boarding school of about 970 students that was established in the 1840s and whose alumni include former President Calvin Coolidge.
It also serves as a public school for the town of St. Johnsbury, about 40 miles south of the Canadian border.