Drake Middle School teacher dies day after being reported for possible relationship with student

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. – A Drake Middle School teacher died Tuesday – one day after it was reported the teacher was having a possible relationship with a Jeffco Public Schools student.

The school district and Arvada Police Department, which is handling the case, are tight-lipped so far, but the teacher was identified as Gretchen Krohnfeldt by the Arvada Police Department.

Arvada police said a school resource officer was first made aware of the possible relationship, and was told at the time it was between a male student and a female staffer.

The police department says the alleged relationship started while the student was in middle school at Drake, though he is now in high school in Arvada.

Jeffco Public Schools spokeswoman Diana Wilson said Krohnfeldt was “immediately placed on administrative leave” on Monday, when a school staff member reported the possible relationship.

She did not specify the nature of the teacher’s death, nor if it was related to the possible relationship.

“We will continue to investigate this matter and coordinate our efforts with law enforcement. This investigation is in its infancy and the known facts are very limited,” Wilson said in a statement. “Our main focus is supporting our staff and students that have been deeply impacted by this tragedy.”

The police department says it and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office are working jointly on the investigation.