Craig Jones, a 47-year-old teacher at East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School, was found dead on December 24, 2015, in a stairwell of the school building. The discovery was made by school maintenance staff early in the morning, around 6:41 a.m. The night before, Craig had informed his family that he planned to stay late at the school to work. He had arranged for a family member to pick him up around 10:30 p.m., but he never emerged from the building. When no further communication came from Craig, the family member left, only for his body to be discovered the next day.
The Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force took charge of the investigation, but there were no immediate signs of foul play, and authorities have not yet reached a conclusion about the circumstances surrounding his death. His unexpected passing left both his family and the school community in deep shock. As a beloved special education teacher and basketball coach, Craig was remembered for his commitment to his students and the positive influence he had on their lives both in the classroom and on the basketball court. Support and grief counselors were made available to students and staff in the wake of his death to help cope with the loss.
Jessica Beasley, the executive director and superintendent of the Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter Schools, shared that Craig's positivity and dedication deeply impacted the school community. His role extended beyond academics, as he also supported students through sports and extracurricular activities, embodying the mission of the school to foster growth in all aspects of student life. The investigation into his death remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to piece together the events that led to this tragic outcome.
