RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Zoe Welsh, a longtime science teacher, was killed Saturday morning after an intruder broke into her home.
Assault Captured on Emergency Call
Raleigh Police Department officers received the distress call around 6:30 a.m. from a residence in the 800 block of Clay Street. Welsh told dispatchers that a man was inside her home. According to police, the suspect began assaulting Welsh while she was still speaking with emergency operators.
Responding officers arrived to find Welsh suffering from life-threatening injuries. Paramedics transported her to a nearby hospital, but she was pronounced dead a short time later. Authorities have not yet released the specific cause of death.
Suspect Apprehended Nearby
Police searching the surrounding neighborhood located 36-year-old Ryan Camacho. He was taken into custody and is now facing charges of murder and felony burglary. Investigators stated it is currently unclear if Camacho and Welsh knew each other prior to the break-in.
Records from the North Carolina Department of Corrections reveal Camacho has an extensive criminal history. He was released from prison in July after serving more than five years for discharging a firearm. Camacho is currently being held at the Wake County Detention Center without bond.
Community in Mourning
Welsh was a dedicated educator at Ravenscroft, a private K-12 school, where she had worked for nearly two decades. A spokesperson for the school described her as a "beloved colleague" and the "cornerstone" of the science department.
Raleigh Police Chief Ricco Boyce released a statement expressing deep sadness over the loss. He praised the responding officers for their swift action in apprehending the suspect.
For more cases related to deadly home break-ins and burglary investigations, check out our video here:
