Raleigh Teacher Zoe Welsh Killed While on Phone With 911 During Home Robbery; Ryan Camacho Charged With Murder

A Raleigh community is in mourning after Zoe Welsh, a beloved teacher at Ravenscroft School, was killed early Saturday morning during a home robbery while she was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher.

According to Raleigh police, officers were dispatched just after 6:30 a.m. to the 800 block of Clay Street following an emergency call from Welsh, who reported that an intruder was inside her home. While still speaking with dispatchers, the suspect allegedly attacked and beat her.

Responding officers found Welsh critically injured inside the residence. She was given immediate lifesaving aid and rushed to a local hospital, but later died from her injuries.

Police quickly launched a search of the surrounding area and arrested Ryan Camacho, 36, who was located nearby and taken into custody without incident. Authorities later charged Camacho with murder and felony burglary.

Investigators confirmed Camacho has a lengthy criminal history, with more than 20 prior arrests, and had recently been released from jail before the deadly encounter. Police have not disclosed a motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Ryan Camacho Charged With Murder

Welsh was a respected and longtime educator at Ravenscroft School, where she served as a key member of the Upper School Science Department. The school released a statement expressing deep sorrow over her death.

“The Ravenscroft community is devastated by the loss of our beloved colleague and friend Zoe Welsh,” a school spokesperson said. “She was a cornerstone of our Upper School Science Department and a mentor to so many students. Her loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of learning from her.”

Neighbors described the crime as shocking and difficult to process.

“It’s devastating,” said Joshua Carpenter, who lives nearby. “This is a quiet area. To hear something like this happened right down the street is hard to believe.”

Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce also issued a statement, calling Welsh a “mother, friend, and mentor” and extending condolences to her family.

“Whenever there is a loss of life in our community, it affects us all,” Boyce said. “The swift arrest of the suspect sends a strong message that violent criminal acts will not be tolerated in the City of Raleigh.”

Ravenscroft School said grief counselors and support resources will be available to students and staff as classes resume, as the community continues to grieve the tragic loss of Zoe Welsh.