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Missing pregnant teacher found dead in Maryland

Posted at 6:26 PM, Sep 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-13 21:06:07-04

Montgomery County, Maryland Police reported Laura Wallen, a pregnant high school teacher who went missing last week, has been found dead. 

According to Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger, Wallen's body was found in a wooded area in Damascus, Maryland. 

Police have arrested her boyfriend, Tyler Tessier.

Tessier was present with Wallen's family during a press conference on Monday. Police had already identified him as a person of interest in the case. Detectives asked the family to invite him to speak as part of the investigation. 

During the press conference, Tessier pleaded for Wallen to come home.

"There's so many people, so people that miss you," he said Monday. "There's so many people that were out looking. We haven't slept, we haven't eaten. We're just looking and praying that you're safe and I'm asking that you can just let us know that you're safe."

Police have not determined a motive in the case, though during Wednesday's update, police said Tessier was living at several addresses, including one in Damascus. 

Investigators determined Tessier was the last person to see Wallen alive. Police said Tessier and Wallen were seen together at a grocery store on Saturday, Sept. 2. Police believe Wallen was killed the next day. 

According to police, a friend received a troubling text from Wallen Saturday. Wallen told her friend that Tessier had taken her to an open field and she didn't know why. She then texted a picture of the location to her friend.

Wallen's sister received a text from her on Labor Day, but police believe that message was sent by Tessier.

The suspect admitted to disposing of Wallen's cell phone and driver's license. 

Police also said Tessier drove Wallen's Ford Escape and left it in Howard County near Wilde Lake High School.

Wallen, 31, was a teacher at Wilde Lake High School. She was four months pregnant.

WATCH update from Montgomery County Police: