Body In Canal Identified As Missing Miami-Dade Teacher

MIAMI GARDENS, FL — A body found in a canal over the weekend has been identified as missing Norland Senior High School teacher Kameela Russell, according to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's office.

"The case is under investigation but I can release that it's classified as a homicide and the cause of death was blunt head injury," Darren Caprara of the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's office told Patch Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Miami-Dade County Public Schools said that "all available counseling resources" were being deployed to the school as Russell's family was notified that the body found in a canal off NW 27th Street was that of the missing educator.

"Miami-Dade County Public Schools is deeply saddened about the painful and shocking news involving the passing of a Miami Norland Senior High School teacher," school district officials said in a statement. "The entire M-DCPS family is heartbroken. We ask that the community join us as we keep Kameela Russell’s loved ones in our prayers.”

Caprara, who is director of operations with the Medical Examiner's office, said that the Miami Gardens Police Department initially performed a fingerprint analysis to confirm Russell's identity.

A GoFundMe started by a family friend said Russell "vanished without a trace" on May 15, leaving behind two daughters. The page had raised about $1,100 as of Wednesday afternoon.

Russell was last seen driving a black 2014 Audi A6 in the 800 block of NW 203rd Street.