Rubi Perez Obituary, Great Bend, KS Missing Found Dead Death: Great Bend Middle School Mourns Loss of Student
The Great Bend school district is mourning the loss of Rubi Perez, a 14-year-old eighth-grade student at Great Bend Middle School, who was found deceased on Thursday morning, April 9, 2026, leaving classmates, teachers, and the wider community in profound grief.
In the wake of the tragedy, USD 428 Great Bend Public Schools officials announced a comprehensive support response aimed at helping students and staff process the loss. The district emphasized that both in-person counseling and online mental health resources are being made available to those affected. In a statement, officials said the district is “grieving alongside our community following a tremendous and heartbreaking loss,” and stressed that the immediate focus is on student and staff well-being.
An enhanced counseling response has been established at Great Bend Middle School, where a crisis response team is currently on campus. The team includes school counselors as well as local mental health professionals and outside agencies brought in to provide additional support. These services are intended to offer immediate care, guidance, and emotional assistance to students and staff as they navigate the difficult days ahead.
USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton said the district’s priority is ensuring that no student or staff member feels alone in their grief. He encouraged open communication and reaching out for help, noting that support systems are in place for anyone struggling to cope. District leaders also expressed gratitude to the professionals and organizations assisting during this time.
Counseling services will remain available across all USD 428 schools in the coming days, with additional online support offered through designated platforms for families and staff.
As the community continues to mourn, school officials say their focus remains on providing stability, compassion, and care for students during an especially painful moment for the district.