Teacher's body found in Angeles National Forest

A Southern California elementary school teacher missing for a week has been found dead at the bottom of a bridge in the Angeles National Forest.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a news release that a search-and-rescue team was on training exercises Sunday near Big Tujunga Canyon when they found an abandoned vehicle connected to 39-year-old Rigoberto Ruelas.

They searched the area and found Ruelas' body 100 feet below a nearby bridge.

Ruelas was a teacher at Miramonte Elementary School in South Gate. He had arranged to have a substitute teacher Monday and Tuesday, but didn't show up for work Wednesday.

Los Angeles County coroner's officials reached by phone said they have not determined a cause of death.

-- Associated Press

Photo: South Gate Police Department

Comments

[Rigo's cousin]

I feel very deep pain in my heart for losing my cousin, Rigo. I last saw you over 10 years ago at our grandmother's funeral. We all commented about how we only see all our family at funerals. I wish our family would see each other more often. I remember playing as kids. It really breaks my heart that now we'll see each but at your funeral. Please everyone, reach out to a long lost family member or friend before it's too late. Rest in peace my cousin and friend. You will be sorely missed. : (

[rickinla]

test

[jubilee shine]

what is the connection to the new teacher "evaluations"?

[K.P.]

Rest in peace, Mr. Ruelas.

[Eleanor Howard]

This is so sad and tragic for his family and is sad for the children he was teaching in school as we remembered some of our school teachers in Elementary school. I am 38 and remember mine. This is what they they will remember.
I pray they remember too he was a good teacher and friend to them.

[Andrea Shaffer]

Sad, very sad. It is really difficult to face school today as Rigo was a co-worker, and a fine person.

My thoughts are with his family because he always spoke very highly of them!

[Amy Owen]

what a BASTION of free speech you are, LA Times! You won't let my comment appear because I accuse you of unethically not reporting one of the causative factors in this teacher's suicide.

you people are awful beyond awful. My friends and I call the LA Times "fishwrap" because that is all it is good for these days.

I'm calling to cancel my subscription now. I'll spend my money on a real newspaper with real journalists, not one yellow journalists seeking to sell issues regardless of the cost or consequences.

I guess your margin of error didn't include Mr. Ruelas. Shame on you.

[Ruelas 2004 student]

Mr.Ruelas was a teacher in South Los Angeles not South Gate . He was a great teacher and he will never be forgotten.We'll be missing you.

[Curious]

Why did the LA Times not mention that it was their publication of Mr Ruelas "poor teaching results" that many think caused his suicide. Why not post results for other professions such as your journalists who seem to write articles lacking ethics and compassion. I am also canceling my subscription to the LA Times. Im sure the Daily Breeze will be more than happy to accept me as a new member.