When Maine resident Jay Westra went to sleep on September 30, his wife, Kristin Westra, was by his side.
When he awoke in the morning, she was gone. The 47-year-old elementary school teacher’s keys and phone were left behind, People reports.
Jay reported his wife missing, prompting a police search in the North Yarmouth area that involved drones and dogs.
On October 5, the 47-year-old’s body was discovered — but not by authorities.
According to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, children playing in the woods near Kristin’s home found her remains roughly 500 feet off the road.
An autopsy determined that the teacher died from suicide, but her brother said the behavior was “abnormal” for Kristin.
Eric Rohrbach told ABC News that his sister didn’t do drugs or even drink:
“The thought of her doing this to her family is completely out of the norm.”
Rohrbach said that his sister had been under “some stress” due to home renovations and work pressure.
The brother said that Kristin’s husband thought she was just getting out of bed to try and sleep elsewhere when she woke up around 3 a.m.
Jay said that on the day his wife disappeared, she “was experiencing what I would call some anxiety and she expressed that she had some sleepless nights and was worried.”
According to People, they had a friend who is a nurse practitioner come and look at her, but they didn’t have any concerns.
Her husband said he’s received an “outpouring” of support since Kristin went missing.
Those who knew Kristin called her a “pillar in the community,” according to her brother.
She leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter and 16-year-old stepson. Her memorial is scheduled to take place on October 20.