Teacher from U.S. is dead: Va. couple grieves after woman's body is found

RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia couple is mourning the death of their daughter after learning that her body was found in disaster-ravaged Japan, where she had been teaching English.

Taylor Anderson, 24, could be the first known American victim in the Japan disaster as authorities continue the daunting task of finding and identifying almost 13,000 people believed to be missing.

Anderson's family said in a statement that the U.S. Embassy in Japan called them Monday to tell them she was found in Ishinomaki, about 240 miles north of Tokyo.

Officials with U.S. Embassy in Japan and the State Department could not immediately confirm whether she was the first known U.S. victim in Japan. Another 25-year-old man is presumed dead after being swept into the ocean March 11 by a swell from the tsunami on the northern California coast.

'We would like to thank all those whose prayers and support have carried us through this crisis,' said Andy and Jean Anderson, who live in Chesterfield County south of Richmond. 'Please continue to pray for all who remain missing and for the people of Japan. We ask that that you respect our privacy during this hard time.'

Jean Anderson said her daughter was last seen after the earthquake riding her bike away from an Ishinomaki elementary school after making sure parents picked up their children. A tsunami struck shortly after the earthquake, completely wiping out buildings.