A veteran teacher and Redwood City resident was found dead in San Mateo County Thursday after being reported missing earlier last week.

Christopher Ryan, 54, an English and social science teacher at James Logan High School in Union City, was found dead late Thursday afternoon at the bottom of a ravine off of Interstate 280 and state Highway 92 along the Crystal Springs Reservoir, school district officials said.

Mr. Ryan had been reported missing by his family on Tuesday and his car was found abandoned at a parking area off of the highway on Wednesday night, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

The cause of his death is unknown, pending an autopsy.

Grief counselors are being made available for students at Logan High School, where Mr. Ryan had worked since 1994, including a period as a part-time administrator who was responsible for the school's master schedule, according to the school district.

School principal Amy McNamara met with teachers and staff this morning to inform them of his death and discuss the appropriate ways to tell students, district officials said.

— Bay City News Service

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