Fort Wayne teacher found dead in classroom

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — School officials in Fort Wayne say a teacher was found dead in his classroom while apparently there over the weekend preparing for the start of the school year.

Police say 52-year-old Bruce Crist’s wife reported him missing Saturday night and he was found at Snider High School, where he was English teacher and tennis coach.

City police spokesman Jason Anthony says Crist had a history of heart troubles and investigators don’t suspect foul play. An autopsy was planned.

Snider athletic director Russ Isaacs tells The Journal Gazette that Crist was “consummate professional” who was devoted to his students.

Crist coached either the school’s boys or girls tennis teams most years since 1996, leading them to several conference and sectional titles. Students return Monday to the Fort Wayne schools.