A Mill Valley School District teacher arrested in a child molestation case this week was found dead in the Point Reyes National Seashore, the county coroner’s office said Thursday.
Darren Michael Smith, 55, of Fairfax was located the day after Marin County sheriff’s detectives booked him. He was released on a $200,000 bail from the Marin County Jail soon after his arrest.
On Wednesday afternoon, authorities were notified about a surfer who appeared to be pulled out to sea near Drakes Beach, Chief Deputy Coroner Roger Fielding said. Smith was last seen that morning and investigators believe his surfboard washed ashore a few hours later, Fielding said.
First responders from agencies such as the U.S. National Park Service and the Marin County Fire Department searched for Smith until his body was discovered floating 2.5 miles from the Drakes Beach parking lot, Fielding said. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter recovered him, and he was pronounced dead.
Fielding said that Smith will undergo a routine toxicology examination and that the investigation of his death is ongoing.
Smith joined the Mill Valley School District in 2013 and taught music in kindergarten through fifth grade. He previously worked for 13 years as a music teacher at elementary schools in the Alameda Unified School District, said Susan Davis, a district representative.
Smith was placed on administrative leave after the Mill Valley School District staff reported his alleged sexual offenses to the sheriff’s office. Sheriff’s detectives later gathered enough evidence to have a probable cause to arrest him on Tuesday.
The sheriff’s office said there are two known victims in the case, but declined to say whether they are students in the school district.
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The Marin County District Attorney’s Office charged Smith on Wednesday with committing a lewd act upon a child younger than 14, a felony, and several related counts. The arraignment had been scheduled for Friday.
Elizabeth Kaufman, the superintendent of the Mill Valley School District, sent a letter Thursday to parents and guardians about Smith’s death.
“This loss comes amid unsettling news regarding Mr. Smith’s recent arrest, adding a layer of complexity to the emotions we feel,” she wrote.
Kaufman said the schools have counselors and other staff members who can assist students who “need help processing” the news about Smith’s death. She said that the school district’s upcoming parent forums will continue as scheduled.
“Thank you for your compassion and understanding as we navigate these challenging times together,” Kaufman said. “Let us hold Mr. Smith’s family and loved ones in our thoughts as they face this loss.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, round-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.
