EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - The interim principal of an elementary school in Eden Prairie was found dead Monday night in his vehicle, according to authorities.
Police say they were called on a welfare check around 9:14 p.m. Monday for a 67-year-old man from Chaska who was last seen at Cedar Ridge Elementary School, 8905 Braxton Dr.
Officers found the man, identified as Joe Epping, dead inside his vehicle, which was parked at the school.
Epping was the interim principal of Cedar Ridge, according to the Eden Prairie School District, who confirmed his death.
Grief counselors are being made available to students and staff on Tuesday.
“Joe was a beloved principal among staff, parents and students across Eden Prairie Schools. He always put kids first. His humor, wit and gift of cultivating meaningful relationships were all reasons why we loved Joe,” said Eden Prairie Schools Superintendent Dr. Josh Swanson in a released statement.
Epping was the longtime principal at Eden Prairie Central Middle School who retired a few years ago after 27 years with the school district. He came back as interim principal for Cedar Ridge last July, to help fill the role left vacant by Jodi Markworth who took a position with Robbinsdale Area Schools.
Police are conducting a standard death investigation, however they say foul play is not suspected.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office will release his official cause of death at a later date.