A math teacher was found dead inside a Baltimore elementary school on Monday (March 9), prompting officials to send students home early and launching an investigation by city police.

Deborah Tolson, 75, was discovered inside Arundel Elementary School on the morning of Monday (March 9), before classes began. Officials believe she died over the weekend. Students were dismissed at 10:15 a.m.

A spokesperson for Maryland's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to People that Tolson died of natural causes, specifically intracerebral hemorrhage — a type of bleeding in the brain. Baltimore City Police found no signs of trauma or foul play.

Tolson had served Baltimore City Public Schools for 23 years, spending the last seven at Arundel Elementary. In a letter sent to the school community and reviewed by WBFF, Arundel Elementary Principal Kerry-Ann Malcolm described Tolson as a fixture of the school.

"Serving Baltimore City Public Schools for 23 years, Ms. Tolson was a very beloved member of our school community for seven years," Malcolm wrote. "A pillar of the school community, she was beloved by both students and staff."

Malcolm said the district's crisis team is stepping in to help. "The Baltimore City Public Schools crisis team will support our school and talk to students and staff members to address their questions and concerns," she wrote. "Our hearts and thoughts remain with Ms. Tolson's family and friends, as well as our entire school community, in this difficult time."

Both Baltimore City Police and City Schools Police are continuing their investigation.

Scott Ryfun

Scott Ryfun