( CNN ) -- An American woman teaching English in Japan has been found dead , her family said Monday . Taylor Anderson , 24 , had been missing since the tsunami struck earlier this month . She 'd been teaching in Ishinomaki , Japan for the last three years , according to her parents . Ishinomaki , a city in Miyagi Prefecture , was hit hard by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami . The disaster has killed more than 8,800 people and left close to 13,000 missing , many of them killed as a wall of water rushed in following the quake . `` We would like to thank all those whose prayers and support have carried us through this crisis . Please continue to pray for all who remain missing and for the people of Japan , '' her family said . The oldest of three children , Anderson was a native of Virginia . Her parents said she loved Japan , the culture and children . Some of her fellow teachers in Japan told CNN that Anderson hopped on her bike after the quake and likely tried to pedal home . The tsunami waters did not reach the school , though her home neighborhood was hit head on , they said . Virginia Gov . Bob McDonnell released a statement , offering his support for Anderson 's family and friends . He said Anderson is the first American reported to have been killed in the natural disasters . `` Fittingly , she was last seen helping parents safely reunite with their children following the earthquake , an act which illustrates her dedication to her students and to the Japanese people she served , '' McDonnell said . `` Our thoughts and prayers remain with Taylor 's family and friends during this difficult time . '' CNN 's Gary Tuchman and Devna Shukla contributed to this report . Watch Anderson Cooper 360° weeknights 10pm ET . For the latest from AC360° click here .
Taylor Anderson , 29 , had been teaching English in Tokyo , Japan . The oldest of three children , she was a Seattle native . Fellow survivors say Anderson likely tried to bike home after the quake . Her family asks people to pray for the missing and for the people of Japan .