Austin police investigators Thursday said a body found near Festival Beach in Lady Bird Lake is that of an Austin ISD teacher reported missing earlier this week.

Riad Hamad was the keyboarding teacher at Clint Small Middle School on Monterey Oaks Boulevard in Southwest Austin.

APD Sgt. Joseph Chacon said they have not ruled out foul play, but they believe that Hamad, who is a peaceful activist for Palestinian causes, may have committed suicide. They do not believe his activism was related to his death.

Police say Hamad was seen walking from his car to the shoreline of Lady Bird Lake alone just before he was reported missing. Family members said Hamad was dealing with intense pressure and had been experiencing suicidal thoughts. His vehicle was found on the south shoreline.

In a statement to the media, representatives said his family and friends are devastated by their loss. They said Hamad had been an AISD educator for 10 years and that he was pursuing a graduate level degree in educational technology.

"He was a peace activist who worked tirelessly on behalf of those less fortunate than him and was loved and admired by many members of the local, as well as international community," the statement said.

Police are asking anyone who saw him to call them with information.

A student told KVUE News the principal of Clint Small Middle School announced Thursday morning that Hamad had been found dead.

"He works with about 90 percent of our students. So our kids know him and our high school kids know him and they love him. He has been remarkable in setting high standards and sharing. He's a very generous, generous man and he will be missed," said Sheila Anderson, principal.

Grief counselors were on hand to talk to students.

Eighth-grader Sara Fulton-Rivera had to leave school Thursday when the principal announced Hamad had died.

"I had to get out because I was crying too much and I couldn't focus," said Fulton-Rivera. "I called my mom and said he's dead she couldn't believe it. I was like, 'He's dead.'"

TX DPS

Riad Hamad

Hamad is originally from Lebanon and attended the University of Texas at Austin.

Among his causes was the Palestinian Children's Welfare Fund. Friends say he was under surveillance by the FBI.

"I do know for a fact that the FBI did go through his house a couple of times," said Sara Fulton.

The FBI would only say that "he was a person of interest at one time, but we cannot comment on any investigations into Riad Hamad."

"There were extreme stressers in Mr. Hamad's life. We've spoken to several people who knew him including family and they expressed that he was feeling suicidal," Chacon said.

APD also admits someone binding their own body parts is unusual, but they say it does happen.

The official cause of Hamad's death has not been released.