Beloved teacher Dexter Butler drowns outside Key West High School after falling ‘face first’ into storm drain

A COMMUNITY has been left devastated after a beloved teacher was found dead following a freak accident.

Monroe County Schools teacher Dexter Butler was found dead by Key West Police Department (KWPD) in Florida on Saturday.

Monroe County Schools Superintendent Theresa Axford identified the teacher and explained that his cause of death was drowning after he was trying to retrieve his keys.

“His keys fell down the drain,” Axford told Keys Weekly.

“He was reaching for them, lost his balance and fell face first, then drowned in 18 inches of water in the drain. Really a tragedy on many levels.”

Local police and fire departments responded to a call of an injured person outside Key West High School on Saturday, finding Butler dead upon arrival.

“Upon arrival, units observed an adult male in a storm drain near the school gymnasium,” KWPD spokeswoman Alyson Crean said in a statement.

“The investigation is ongoing. The body has been recovered and identified as Dexter Butler, of Key West, who is a teacher at Horace O’Bryant School and the high school basketball coach.”

“No foul play is suspected," she continued.

In addition to his position as a high school history teacher, Butler was a multi-sport coach at the school.

Following news of his death, the school has canceled all sporting events for a period of mourning and processing.

“We offer our sincere condolences to his family and to all students who knew and worked with him,” Superintendant Axford said in a statement.

“The accident which took his life is under investigation. Further details will be released as they become available.”

Butler was a major supporter of students and commonly spoke out about their accolades.

“Our season came to an end last Thursday at the hands of Gulliver Prep,” Butler wrote in a Facebook post on February 11.

“I cannot be more proud of the strides these young men made from last offseason to this basketball season. Next season will be something special but with great expectation comes great responsibility.”

Community members are distraught over Butler's death and have been sharing fond memories and thoughts about the late educator and coach.

Some students have been saying goodbye on his last Facebook post.

"I love you so much coach I miss you so much man rest up thank you for everything," wrote one student.

“He was an amazing asset to our Key West community and will be greatly missed," wrote the local Little League baseball organization in their own post.

"A true LEGEND is defined by the impact he had on those around him. Coach Dex filled our Key West community with love and laughter. He did not see color, class or creed," wrote one parent on Facebook.

"Rather, met our youth where they were and lead by example- both on and off the field and court. His jovial nature and gritty style was so impactful; a testament to play hard, but have fun. His players knew he loved them and believed in them because he told them."

As his family begins planning for funeral arrangements, a GoFundMe has been set up to aid Butler's loved ones, including his two sons.

"Dexter was known as many things. Most importantly a father, son, husband, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, athlete, great friend, beloved coach, and respected teacher," begins the fundraiser's description.

"He was and will remain to be an admired mentor and a HUGE influence for the children and teens in our community. He will be missed dearly by so many and his loss will affect many of us in so many ways," it continues.