A small Orange County community is mourning the loss of a beloved high school guidance counselor who was found dead Tuesday night in Newburgh after family reported her missing.
           
Christine Thomas worked at Minisink Valley High School in Slate Hill for the past 16 years.

The school district released a statement calling Thomas' death "tragic and distressing."

Middletown police are investigating but say the death does not appear to be suspicious or drug-related.

The district is offering grief counseling to anyone in need.