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Sheriff: Missing Tippecanoe County teacher found alive

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) — Tippecanoe County Sheriff Barry Richard says Krista Perdue has been found alive and taken to a hospital in serious condition.

According to the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office, Perdue was located with the use of a drone.  She was reported as being dehydrated and disoriented.

However, police said Perdue is expected to recover.

The second grade Lafayette teacher recently disappeared without a trace.

Perdue had last been seen on Sunday at her home. Police said inside there were no signs of a struggle.

Authorities said Krista and her husband were happy and just got back from vacation.

Prior to the discovery, Sam Perdue broke down on his front lawn when speaking about her disappearance. It had been two days since he last saw his wife of 16 years.

“It’s obviously tough okay. So I honest to God, I have nothing else I can say. If I knew anything, I would go do it,” he said.

On Monday, investigators with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office were at the couple’s home. Sam Perdue contacted them Monday morning, according to Chief Deputy Steve Hartman.

“He went to check on her. She wasn’t there, so he started looking around. Her car was still there. Her phones are there. Her clothes are there. Basically everything she owns is still at the house,” said Hartman.

Hartman said Krista didn’t have any known medical issues, nor did she take prescription drugs. Investigators don’t suspect foul play, and say Perdue is not a suspect.

“All avenues are still open right now. We really have no idea what happened to her at this point to that, but we’re still not ruling anything out,” said Hartman.

Including the possibility that Krista would’ve just left leaving behind her husband and 12-year-old daughter, who was spotted Monday afternoon walking up to their house surrounded by loved ones.

“I got nothing. I am completely baffled. Completely baffled. I have nothing that I can say. It’s baffling,” said Perdue.

Investigators have been checking into phone records and bank statements.

If you have any information related to the case, contact your local police department.