Teacher Beaten To Death In Nepal Had West Michigan Roots [Video]

Twenty-five-year-old Dahlia Yehia, who grew up in Portage and attended Portage Central High School, went missing last month in Nepal.

The State Department announced she was reportedly beaten to death. The American, who had begun her career as an art teacher in Austin, Texas, went on a backpacking trip to help victims of the country’s devastating earthquake back in April. 

According to CNN, Dahlia, who arrived in Nepal on July 20th, was killed by another teacher named Narayan Paudel, who she met through the Couchsurfing website. After an investigation, Paudel admitted to his crime, confessing to the beating, and dumping Dahlia’s body in the river. So far her body has not been recovered.

Yehia also attended Kalamazoo College, where she graduated in 2011. On Friday, a prayer service was held by there.

Officials with the school also released this statement to the campus community and alumni: "The College is saddened to learn of the death of Dahlia Yehia '11. Dahlia was traveling as a tourist in Nepal when contact with her family suddenly ceased. She had been missing since early August.

At K-College, Dahlia earned her bachelor's degree in art, and she studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador. She was active in community service and interested in literature and mathematics...Our thoughts and condolences go out to Dahlia's friends and family during this difficult time."