RALEIGH, NC - A teacher is dead after calling 911 to report that a man was inside her home. The Raleigh Police Department stated that Zoe Welsh was assaulted by the suspect as she was on the phone with 911.
Welsh called 911 around 6:33 a.m. from her home on Clay Street to report that a man was inside her home, WRAL reported. Upon arriving on the scene, officers said they found Welsh with life-threatening injuries. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died.
Police have since identified the alleged suspect as 36-year-old Ryan Camacho. He has been charged with Welsh's murder and felony burglary.
Early investigations have yet to reveal if Camacho and Welsh knew each other. Court documents show that Camacho has a lengthy criminal history going back more than a decade in both Wake and Durham counties, and that he has been arrested more than 20 times.
In many of those cases, Camacho was either charged with a misdemeanor or the cases were dropped altogether. He was, however, arrested in 2021 after he escaped from state prison in Salisbury. Two years earlier, he pleaded guilty to shooting into occupied property.
Welsh was a teacher at the Ravenscroft School. According to the school's website, Welsh was a science teacher and was the chair of the department.
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce had this to say: "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."
In a statement, the school said Welsh was a cornerstone of the school's science department and the Ravenscroft community for years.
"Her loss is deeply felt by all of us who had the privilege of working with her and learning in her classroom," the school said in a statement. Police said the investigation is ongoing. Camacho is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday, January 5.
Welsh called 911 around 6:33 a.m. from her home on Clay Street to report that a man was inside her home, WRAL reported. Upon arriving on the scene, officers said they found Welsh with life-threatening injuries. She was taken to the hospital, where she later died.
Police have since identified the alleged suspect as 36-year-old Ryan Camacho. He has been charged with Welsh's murder and felony burglary.
Early investigations have yet to reveal if Camacho and Welsh knew each other. Court documents show that Camacho has a lengthy criminal history going back more than a decade in both Wake and Durham counties, and that he has been arrested more than 20 times.
In many of those cases, Camacho was either charged with a misdemeanor or the cases were dropped altogether. He was, however, arrested in 2021 after he escaped from state prison in Salisbury. Two years earlier, he pleaded guilty to shooting into occupied property.
Welsh was a teacher at the Ravenscroft School. According to the school's website, Welsh was a science teacher and was the chair of the department.
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce had this to say: "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."
In a statement, the school said Welsh was a cornerstone of the school's science department and the Ravenscroft community for years.
"Her loss is deeply felt by all of us who had the privilege of working with her and learning in her classroom," the school said in a statement. Police said the investigation is ongoing. Camacho is expected to make his first court appearance on Monday, January 5.
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Comments
2026-01-05T16:58-0500 | Comment by: arthur
This right here is a perfect example of why people need to have a gun in the house, fully loaded, ready to go, and not locked up in some freaking safe where they can't get to it, but accessible at all times. If she had this, she might well still be alive right now.
2026-01-06T14:15-0500 | Comment by: James
The only solution here people is ARM YOURSELF! The police only show up later with the body bags!!!
2026-01-06T15:35-0500 | Comment by: Rick
Remember 9mm, .38 cal, .40 cal, 10mm, .45 cal, 12 gauge, all faster than 911.