American teacher found dead in Japan

Taylor Anderson, 24, was found dead in Japan after she had been missing for several days following a tsunami and earthquake. / CBS

An American teacher working in Japan as part of an exchange program has been found dead, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The family of 24-year-old Taylor Anderson released a statement Monday that said they were notified by the U.S. Embassy in Japan.

During a press briefing Monday afternoon, the State Department said they had seen the Andersons' statement and were working to confirm that Taylor Anderson was the first American killed in the disaster.

Complete coverage: Disaster in Japan

Anderson's family had turned their kitchen, in a home in a suburb of Richmond, Va., into a command center, sending tweets and sifting through message boards, searching for any sign of her, reported CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.

Video: Taylor Anderson still missing
American thought found in Japan still missing

Taylor Anderson taught English in the seaside city of Ishinomaki, about 50 miles northeast of the quake's epicenter in the heart of the tsunami zone. 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.

When the family appeared on CBS' "The Early Show" Tuesday, they had just been told she was found.

Video: American woman missing in Japan found

But 12 hours later, they learned it was a false lead from the teaching program, and a new story emerged.

"We would like to thank all those whose prayers and support have carried us through this crisis. 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," the Anderson family said in a statement Monday.

[wtcmedic911]

VERY sorry for your loss and your pain. Please know she did good things with being a teacher and the world is a better place.

[spaceatoms]

May God bless the soul of a very beautiful young girl!

[jjppww]

So sad. Only hope all her students survived due to her actions.

[m0u5y]

I was just about to join the Jet program (the usual step after living there for a year) when I met my boyfriend and decided to stay here. If I hadn't I'd probably be dead. That's just a scary thing to imagine. It definitely hit home when I read this and I can't imagine what the parents may be going through.

[Susan_104]

So sad. I extend my sympathies to all that knew this young woman. I hope you find peace in your memories.

[youbrew12]

This may not seem the appropriate place to put this advocacy, but I would encourage many young American's to take the placement Taylor Anderson took, and choose to teach English overseas. You will learn two things: English really is the worlds desired 'second language' (sorry, French dudes: love your language, though) and, people, all over the world, are just people, at the end of the day. That is: hominids just trying to make it against an oft-times harsh and unpredictable universe.

my daughter taught at a school for the 'educationally challenged' in Tanzania. She's now a social worker in Chicago, but not a day goes by she doesn't recall that as the best time in her life. People are just people and we all need to get out there, from time to time, to reaffirm that.

[m0u5y]

There really is no reason not to do what she was doing. Anyone can die at anytime and disasters such as these can happen anywhere including the US. There really is nothing one can do but do what they feel passionate about. It isn't like she went into a war zone -- nobody could predict this tragedy. People have to die. At least we can choose to some extent what we do when we die.

[jt92202]

Very Sad! I hope her friends and family all the best and she will live in their hearts forever! Rest In Peace!

[mollydtt]

I am so sorry to read this.
I've been hoping to read that she was okay.