A beloved North Carolina science teacher was killed by a career criminal home intruder while she was on the phone with 911, begging for help.
Zoe Welsh, a teacher of 20 years, was found with life-threatening injuries after police were called to a burglary at her Raleigh, NC, home early Saturday, police said in a statement.
Welsh phoned 911 to report an intruder was in her house and, while she was on the phone with dispatchers, her attacker began to assault her, police said.
The mom was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Ryan Camacho, 36, was later arrested nearby and charged with murder and felony burglary, police said.
He has at least two dozen arrests and was found guilty in 2021 of escaping from a prison in Salisbury, NC, according to court records obtained by ABC11.
Just last month, Camacho’s separate case for breaking and entering was dismissed by a Wake County judge after Camacho was found incapable to proceed, the outlet reported.
The assistant district attorney tried to have Camacho voluntarily committed, but the request was denied by the court.
He is due in court on Monday, while Welsh’s friend has vowed to get justice for her.
“I love you, Zoe, so much, you are now with God, and this man is going to pay, he’s going to pay,” Olivia Alvarez, who also worked in Welsh’s home as a house cleaner, told ABC11.
She added that she now feels “scared” to learn that someone had broken into the same house she worked in every week.
“I am deeply heartbroken for this mother, friend, and mentor to many in our community, and for the unimaginable trauma her family must endure. We extend our deepest sympathy to Ms. Welsh’s family during this incredibly difficult time,” Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce said.
Tributes have been paid to Welsh, who had taught AP biology and forensic science at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh since 2006, according to a school spokesperson.
“Her loss is deeply felt by all of us who had the privilege of working with her and learning in her classroom,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
No further details were given on the injuries suffered by Welsh, who had worked as a teacher since 1992, according to the school’s website.
Grief counselors were scheduled to be at the school Monday for students and staff.
The investigation is continuing.
