Crime & Safety

Missing Teacher From Redwood City Died of Natural Causes

Christopher Ryan of Redwood City, a teacher at Logan High School in Union City, was found dead in a ravine off of Interstate Highway 280 and Highway 92 on Oct. 11.

Redwood City resident Christopher Ryan, a beloved teacher at Logan High School in Union City whose body was found at the bottom of a ravine last month under mysterious circumstances, died of natural causes, according to the San Mateo County coroner's office.

Media outlets such as the Marin Independent Journal first caught wind that the results of the autopsy had been released Tuesday evening, and reported that Ryan, 54, died Oct. 11 due to complications related to heart disease.

Ryan, who was believed to be at-risk, was reported missing Oct. 10. His car was found late that night off of Interstate Highway 280 and Highway 92 with his cell phone and medication inside.

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His body was found later, the next day, in a ravine along the Crystal Springs Reservoir.

The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office told media outlets Tuesday that Ryan’s body showed no signs of trauma and that toxicology tests did not find any drugs or alcohol in his system.

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Ryan had worked at Logan High School in Union City since 1994, where he taught English and social science, as well as worked as a part-time administrator.

“He was always smiling,” former student Jessica Tam, 22, told Patch last month. “He was just so intellectual and carried a heavy appreciation for literature.”

Ryan’s love of literature was noted during a special ceremony at Logan last month where students presented his family with memorial messages written on special stationery.

“Chris loved books; many, many people the past few weeks have spoken about his intellect and love of learning,” Logan Principal Amy McNamara said in a statement.

 

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