A beloved science teacher from North Carolina was brutally killed in her own home after a career criminal with a lengthy rap sheet forced his way inside, prosecutors have revealed.
A Fatal 911 Call
Zoe Welsh, 57, dialled emergency services from her Raleigh home on Saturday morning to report an intruder. While still on the line with the 911 operator, the burglar began to assault her, according to the Raleigh Police Department. Officers rushed to the scene and found Welsh with life-threatening injuries. She was taken immediately to a nearby hospital but could not be saved. The dedicated educator, who had taught for 33 years, was pronounced dead.
A Suspect with a Troubled Past
Police later arrested and charged Ryan Camacho, 36, with murder and felony breaking and entering. Court records show Camacho is no stranger to the justice system, having been arrested two dozen times. In 2021, he was convicted of escaping from a prison in Salisbury, roughly two hours from the state capital.
His record includes multiple charges for breaking and entering. Shockingly, a case from August accusing him of the same offence was dismissed just last month. Judge Louis Meyer dismissed it after Camacho was found incapable of proceeding. Prosecutors had sought to have him voluntarily committed, but the judge denied the request.
A Community in Mourning
The news has devastated the community where Zoe Welsh taught at the prestigious Ravenscroft School. She is remembered as a caring teacher, mother, friend, and wife. Flowers have been left outside her home in a growing memorial.
Olivia Alvarez, who worked as Welsh's house cleaner for years, was among those paying tribute. "I'll remember her smile; she was always happy," Alvarez told local media. "I love you, Zoe, so much, you are now with God, and this man is going to pay."
Friends took to social media to honour a woman who brought "joy and humor to every room she was in." One poignant post urged others to live by Welsh's values: "pick joy. Find joy, embrace it, follow it."
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce expressed his department's profound sadness. "I am deeply heartbroken for this mother, friend, and mentor to many in our community," he stated. "The arrest of the suspect sends a strong message that criminal acts will not be tolerated."
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also shared a heartfelt tribute, highlighting the need for mental health investment and public safety. "People need to be safe in their homes and their communities," he said.
A spokesperson for Ravenscroft School said the community was "devastated" by the loss of a "cornerstone" of their science department. The school will provide grief counsellors for students returning to class.
Ryan Camacho is due in court on Monday. The case remains under active investigation.
