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Courtesy of the Anderson family
The body of Taylor Anderson, left, a 24-year-old teacher, has been found in Japan, her family says. She was last seen in Ishinomaki, Japan, on March 11 after the earthquake.
An American family was in mourning Monday after learning that their daughter and sibling, a teacher and lifelong student of Japanese culture, had been found dead in Japan –- the first known American victim of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Taylor Anderson, a 24-year-old from Richmond, Va., had lived in Japan since August 2008. She was last seen after the powerful earthquake struck Japan on March 11, riding her bike away from the school where she taught after helping to get her students home.
“It is with deep regret that we inform you that earlier this morning we received a call from the U.S. Embassy in Japan that they had found our beloved Taylor's body,” the Anderson family wrote in a statement. “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.”
Anderson’s family, who had mounted a long-distance search for Anderson, could not immediately be reached for comment.
But a Facebook poster, who gave his name as Ramon Badcock, said he met Anderson in Japan and will remember her positive spirit.
"She was of a rare breed of people, always happy and positive, kind and generous, with a smile that seemed to go on forever," he wrote in an email to msnbc.com. "I will mourn, but more importantly I will celebrate her life, for it was a beautiful life and I know she would prefer that."
Until Monday's announcement, none of the estimated 50,000-plus Americans living in or visiting Japan when the quake hit had been confirmed killed. The U.S. State Department said it was seeking further information regarding the death.
Most of Taylor’s friends and colleagues in the JET Programme (the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme), stayed at their schools overnight after the quake, but not Taylor, said her sister, Julia Anderson.
Courtesy of the Anderson family
Taylor Anderson with her parents, mother Jean and father Andy.
“Taylor helped in the evacuation of the students onto the athletic field, waited for parents to pick up the students and whoever was leftover went to higher ground. Taylor decided to go back to her apartment, but by her bike, and so we know she left her school and that’s the last we know,” Anderson said late last week.
“Shortly thereafter, the tsunami warning sirens started to sound," her father, Andy, a 53-year-old real estate developer, said last week. “She probably had 10, 15 minutes of bike riding before the water hit.”
Taylor, who was living in Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture, started learning Japanese when she was in middle school, and eventually minored in Asian Studies at college. When she left for Japan, the departure was emotional but the family was proud of her.
“She was living the life that she always wanted and she was getting to know a culture she was always fascinated with,” Julia said last week. “Her students loved her.”
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Deep sadness for the loss of loved ones. May she rest in peace. May the family have strength to continue her bright energy. Sending a prayer for healing those affected:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USGlQ_A1Nu0
i am so sorry for your lose my pray are you you
I am very so sorry for your lose god bless
I am saddened to read this - may God grant you the strength and comfort your family needs. My prayers are with you.
So sad...wondered about her since she was first reported missing and that it would be likely that she would have helped her students....sincere sympathy to her family and students...prayers to you all....
God will bless her spirt and the great things she lived for.
And may god bless you all in this time of your great loss I'm very sorry.
Iam so sorry for your loss my prayers are with you
My deepest prayers for Taylor's family - may the grace of God help them through this time and give them the strength to celebrate the love, joy, and kindness that their beloved daughter bestowed upon the children with whom she worked. Few have the opportunity to live their dream, make a difference in the lives of children, and promote peace and the spirit of giving as Taylor did. May God hold friends and family in the palm of his hand.
My sincere condolences to the family of Taylor Anderson. I pray that the power of GOD's love and comfort rest on the family and friends during their hardest times.
I send my prayers and condolences to Taylor's family and friends.
Extremely sorry to hear a loss of a good soul. May God bestow her highest level in Haven. May God give her comfort and Everlasting pleasurefull life in the hereafter.
Hey off-topic! Why don't you leave your idiotic political comments for the relevant news stories? How about all the lives being saved in Japan by our hands? Did that cross your small mind? No one reading this story cares about your positions in the Middle East. Idiot!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Her life's work tells me that she was a remarkable person to know be around. May she rest in peace knowing that she touched many lives in a positive way.
I am sorry, I don't like it when any one dies, but just because she is an American this matters. Thousands of Japanese folks died but one American matters more. Just seems like nationalism to me. I think when any human dies it is sad.
These comments are condolences to the family...not just public comments. Could you try to be more respectful....?Yes we morn for the loss of who died.
It matters here in America. Just as all people are Nationalist. But not every human passing is sad-yours wouldn't be. lol Did you miss Hitler or Staln?
Ok, right off the bat, because someone disagrees with me its ok if I die. Well thanks. And are you equating the Japanese people I am standing up for to Stalin and Hitler. Sad world we live in.
Your comment is way out of line, and it seems to me that the least you can do is extend your prayers to her family.
I don't think it is nationalism. You implied that people don't care about Japans victims. This makes it a little more personal because she is an American. I personally am overwhelmed at the magnitude of death and destruction. Human nature is such that we do identify with our national, tribal or family group more. This does not make us bad, or insinuate we do not care about other groups.
Well bethany, i appreciate your civility. I just don't like how sometimes the media touts up the little white girl or the American that died in the overseas slaughter. I think it devalues the lives of the other people. I assure you I wish no one had died. As a matter of fact instead of praying for anything maybe I will look into supporting the science of early warning systems for earthquakes. Seems more effective.
BigRed: I am Japanese. This story is not aout the Japanese people or the human race. It is a news report in the home country of an American who has died in another country. It is relevant, sad, and brings this story home to the USA. You seem calous in your comments as the friends and family of one of your fellow citizens are belittled by your remarks. Hopefully one of your loved ones will not meet tragedy only to have thier honor trivialized as you try to console yourself. Please think of the loved ones of this girl before posting any more rude comments and if you must, then go to some of the Japenese sites and remark to them about how thier deaths are no greater than this girl from America and they are devaluing her life by placing flowers on a grave or showing a picture on the news in the prefectures of Japan of thier fellow citizens and family members.
Souta Kimura, Thank you for your comment. I think most of us couldn't agree more! Prayers to the family and friends that mourn her loss.
It makes me sad to know that so many died. American, Japanese, and any other citizen of other countries that were in Japan when the quake struck. My prayers are with the her family, and with all those that died in Japan, and especially those who survived and lost more then I could ever imagine. I would imagine it is harder to be the ones that survived in comparison to one who passed on from the quake. Life is a mystery, and maybe this is Gods way of selecting the elite few that he wants in his kingdom?! I don't know?? All I know is that we need to keep the faith, pray for all of them, and even more so for the ones that survived.
We pray for Taylor Anderson's soul. She was such a beautiful example of a children of GOD. She died doing what she loved to do in helping others. This is the ultimate sacrifice we can make for humanity. Our prayers go out to those that she left behind, especially her family and the children she taught and loved. We are sure that she is in a better place, heaven. The world is a better place because of her existence/life on this earth.
We send our sorrow with all who extend their condolences to the family of this wonderful teacher who gave of herself to her students and finally with her life in Japan.
Simply heartbreaking.
my condolences to the parents of Taylor, may God give you peace, wisdom and courage to continue what Taylor started to be an ambassador of kindness to the world of confusion.
My heartfelt condolences to the Anderson Family and friends... may the almighty God grant YOU the strenght beyond what is normal and may you be strenghtened by the resurrection hope, You will definitely welcome your Dear Taylor back and her "beautiful smiles" will fill the air again in the resurrection morning. I will continue praying for you and all those who have experienced similar lost during this tough natural disaster.
Your sorrow is our sorrow. She is in peace ,rejoice for her.
I feel the same way. With that earthquake, Japan got it wrong!
Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss. Please know that your loved one was doing what she wanted to do, where she wanted to do it. Your loss is a loss to all of us, as are all the others we lost on that day. We are lesser place for their absence from us. Again, many condolences.
It sounds like she proved what a caring person she was, right up to the end. My sincere condolences to her family, friends, and students. My heart goes out to them and all those who have suffered loss in this tragedy. I still have trouble grasping its scope.
My deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to the family of Taylor Anderson. I happened to see the parents on an interview shortly after the tsunami, and thought what wonderful parents she has. It sounds as though she was equally delightful and compassionate. I'm sure she will never be forgotten and many thank you for sharing her life story. May God be with you during this time of sorrow.
It breaks my heart for all the people who died in Japan. Taylor risked her life for her students and she will never be forgotten. May God be with Taylor's family and everyone in Japan who lost their loved ones.
This is so sad and tragic. I too have a daughter currently serving in another country and I pray every day for her safety. She is doing what she wants to do and I am very proud of her. To the parents of this selfless girl, You can take much pride that your daughter will be forever remembered for her brave and willing spirit.
My deepest condolences to Taylor's family on their loss. Like autumnrose, I have a daughter serving in the Peace Corps in Africa and I couldn't be prouder of her, even though the risk is inevitable to being a single American young lady in a foreign country.
Very sad, condolences to the family
Prayers and condolences to her family and a message to this beautiful spirit who put the safety of her students above her own. Taylor, you are a true hero whose selfless act of courage and love for others should be a model for all to follow. First you had the courage to face what danger may come even as you made sure others were safe from that same danger. Second, love of others so strong that you were willing to give your life to save the lives of your students, students who will always remember their brave teacher who sacrificed herself so that they might live. Taylor, if you had been in the military, your family would receive the Medal of Honor for your actions, instead you will live forever in the hearts and memories of the children you taught and their grateful families who will thank God their children had such a special spirit in you to watch over them. Whatever heaven may be, I know that you will be honored and at peace there with other angels that have gone before you.
Gunny, Semper Fi
Beautifully put. As the mother of a Marine SSgt, Semper Fi to you too, Gunny!
Wonderfully put, Gunny. As a retired Army Grunt I salute Taylor Anderson for the outstanding young lady she was, and her parents for raising her to be so caring, compassionate and courageous. A light will shine brightly in the nighttime skies over Japan, and it will be Taylor looking over her students then as she did on 3/11. May her memory live long in the hearts of all who knew her and those of us who did not have the privilege and honor to meet her in person but came to know her through the words of others.
Very beautifuly put, you moved me to tears. My condolances to her family and friends as she is a great loss. The Creator be with you.
May GOD continue to send down his grace and mercy. My prayers are with you and your family. Just remember that Gods will is already predestin and his plan for her life was to make sure that the childern of Japan saw her light.
Peace and Blessings
This story is so sad .She was a true educator helping the students to safety and then thinking how she could help others in time of need.I will pray for her family and do think of this teacher as a true HERO!
My condolences go out to your family. Being the mother of a daughter close to Taylor's age, I can't imagine the heartache you are feeling right now. I am in tears for you. As Gunny, Semper Fi said, she is a true hero, and a role model for all of us. May you be blessed knowing she "did the 'right' thing". You must have been awesome parents to have taught her to love others so much she would have put her own life at risk. Blessings and peace to you all.
May God Bless her family and the family of others who have yet to be found.
May God's peace be with Taylor's family, your daughter is one of its kind, a real Hero, self less and and kind, she gave all she had even her own life. GOD BE WITH YOU TILL YOU MEET YOUR DAUGHTER IN HEAVEN.
Praying for the familiy, and others effected by this.
I am so sorry for your loss. Truly anyone can see your daughter was very special. May God bless and keep you.
Deeply Touched
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I too have a son living in Japan in the same program so I can connect with you. My heart breaks and my prayers are with the family. I know she must have loved "her kids" and they were blessed to have been able to have her as their teacher. She showed the greatest gift a life on earth can give, Love for one another.
May her soul rest in peace and may God continue to give her parents and family great strength and courage to cope with this tragedy. It should be comforting to know that she had been doing what she really enjoyed. I continue to pray for the Japanese people and all who are suffering as a result of this triple tragedy.
As a teacher, I know that she died following her passion and gave her life to be with her students. Be proud and know that she had the life she was meant to have. I pray for you to replace your pain with peace.
My prayers to the parents and the whole family. She touched many lives and will surely be remembered and missed by those who knew her. Looking at the pictures, you can tell she was a special person who had respect for diversity. RIP
My condolences to her family also. This story is so sad. Both my daughters are in Japanese studies. My oldest daughter visited there this spring. My youngest daughter desperately wants to be accepted into the JET Programme. As a mother I have empathy for the loss, and at the same time I applaud the achievement and passion that put Taylor where she was that day.
For each of us who have lost a child, there are no words at this moment that can console. Your daughter is with you still and if you listen, you will hear her consoling you. God will help as time goes by, and she will be waiting for you. Her memory will keep her with you for now. This I have learned and know for certain!
Love and prayers
I know that this is a tragedy for this family but come on people close to 20'000 people died in this disaster and we have no idea what deaths the power plants are going to cause
As an educator, I know the passion she had for teaching. My heart goes out to the family of Taylor. May she be at peace and the world be a better place because of her.
What a beautiful daughter and how proud her family must be of her - it's obvious she was also courageous to move to Japan on her own - my condolences to her loved ones because her light will be missed.
Condolensces are sent to the family. Bless them especially in time of loss and sorrow.
A heroine as much as those fighting to gain control of the nuclear disaster.
a shame.
To the parents of Taylor, I pray for her and you also. Please note that you raised a daughter that had the opportunity to do the one thing in life they most enjoyed. She did at such a young age something many adults work their entire lives for and never have the chance to do. She reached the goals of her life and it was most fullfilling and rewarding to her. Know that she is at peace now having done what she dreamed alll her life of doing. Be proud of her for that.
What a beautiful and caring individual this lady was!My deepest heartfelt condolences to her family. God Bless!
What a brave young woman to make sure her students were taken care of. May she rest in peace and may her family find peace in knowing she lived the life she wanted. Too bad it was so brief.
To the Anderson Family: Taylor will always live in your hearts and minds and her story has touched countless people who did and did not know her. You have every right to be proud of your daughter. Bless you all.
Thank you Taylor, you save countless lives by protecting the children in your care, and you gave your life doing the right thing. Now it's time to rest. Thanks to your family for raising an adult willing and able to take on this challenge of living abroad and educating children.
May her light shine forever from the heavens as it did here on Earth.
A prayer of comfort for the family.
She has my deep admiration and you my sympathy for someone who give their life doing the things they love...God bless her and all of you and all of Japan....SteveCrigger USA
What a beautiful lady, As an old vet of prior violence I have come to feel a sense of compassion for the Japanese. True, we could easily hold a grudge but these people, the innocent, have paid so much and now to lose one of our best, for them and us. My old eyes feel the tears so many have shed.
God bless you Bob. 89 years of age. You have lived a great life and known many things. Thank you for your wisdom in this.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of this teacher as well as the others from the tsunami. My heart goes out to those who have had loss of the family, friends and households. It is unfathomable to me how I would have handled the situation if it had happened to me. After viewing the massive destruction and loss, I called my children who are hundreds of miles from me. My prayers are with all of those who have loss loved ones.
With some people, their personality shines bright even in a photo. You can see her warmth and caring in her smile.
I'm very sorry for your loss and for all those lost in Japan.