Zoe Welsh, 57, a Ravenscroft School science teacher, was killed after an intruder entered her Raleigh home on Jan. 3. She called 911 at about 6:30 a.m. and was assaulted while still on the line with dispatchers. Police arrested 36-year-old Ryan Camacho at the scene and charged him with murder and felony burglary; he has been denied bond and is held in Wake County jail. Ravenscroft and community members expressed devastation at her loss, and police praised officers for their rapid response.
Raleigh Science Teacher Fatally Attacked While on 911 Call After Reporting Intruder
LinkedinZoe Welsh
Zoe Welsh, 57, a longtime science teacher at Ravenscroft School, was fatally injured after an intruder broke into her Raleigh home on the morning of Jan. 3.
Raleigh Police said Welsh called 911 at about 6:30 a.m. to report someone inside her residence in the 800 block of Clay Street. While she remained on the line with emergency dispatchers, police say the suspect began to assault her.
Responding officers found Welsh with life-threatening injuries. According to a call-simulcast database cited by the News & Observer, an officer reported she had a severe hemorrhage on the left side of her head. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later died.
Police identified the suspect as 36-year-old Ryan Camacho. Authorities took Camacho into custody at the scene and charged him with murder and felony burglary. Camacho was denied bond and is being held in the Wake County jail pending prosecution.
Raleigh Police DepartmentRyan Camacho
Local outlets reported additional background on the suspect: WBTV said Camacho faced multiple breaking-and-entering charges in 2025, and ABC11 reported he was convicted in 2021 of escaping from a Salisbury prison.
Community Response
Former student Calysa Sauls told WRAL that Welsh was deeply committed to her pupils. "She really cared for her students," Sauls said. "She definitely was one of those teachers who was passionate about the subject that she taught. To hear that she died in this horrific way, it's heartbreaking."
Ravenscroft School issued a statement saying its community was "devastated by the loss of our beloved colleague and friend Zoe Welsh." The school noted that Welsh had been a member of the Upper School Science Department since 2006 and previously served as department chair.
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce: "I am deeply heartbroken for this mother, friend, and mentor to many in our community, and for the unimaginable trauma her family must endure. I am profoundly grateful for the dedication and professionalism of the responding officers, whose swift and diligent actions led to the quick apprehension of the suspect in this case."
The investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors prepare formal charges. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Raleigh Police Department.
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