Teacher found dead inside her home beside lover had only moved into her apartment three weeks ago
A Florida teacher who was found dead in her apartment next door to her lover had only moved into the property three weeks before the tragic incident.
Amanda Hicks, 26, was found lying on the floor of the house she shared with her unnamed partner in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Saturday.
The sixth-grade teacher’s neighbors revealed that she had just moved into the new home just three weeks earlier, along with her partner and 10-month-old daughter.
The little girl was heard crying behind a locked door before police entered the building and discovered Hicks dead on the floor next to a man.
Authorities have yet to confirm his identity, but they are not looking for anyone else in connection to Hicks’ death and believe he killed her before committing suicide.
A lifelong friend described Amanda, pictured, as “passionate” for her friends and family, adding that she was “absolutely beautiful inside and out.”
Hick’s daughter named Alani was born in July 2022 and was found alive in the apartment by the police who heard her crying
Her daughter was found unharmed in her crib and is now in the custody of another relative following the murder.
Speaking to CBS12 News, neighbors said they wished they “could have reached out” to help the couple, adding “they seemed perfectly normal.”
They said, ‘We didn’t even get time to get to know them because everything happened so fast. However, my heart goes out to the family. Hopefully they will find peace in this.’
Officers discovered the bodies in the Peacock Run apartment after a family member requested a welfare check on a male resident there.
Tributes have poured in for the high school teacher who served on the Dr. David L Anderson Middle School worked.
The school is closed for summer vacation, but Martin County is providing escorts to teachers and staff for the incident.
Director Darcia Borel sent a memo to staff members identifying her as the female victim, writing: ‘Port St. Lucie Police have confirmed that Mrs. Hicks was the victim of murder.
“While words will never be enough to convey the shock and sadness this news has brought to our school family, it is more important than ever to come together to support each other through our grief journey.
The sixth-grade teacher’s neighbors revealed that she had just moved into the new home just three weeks earlier, along with her partner and 10-month-old daughter. Pictured: Amanda Hicks in a photo from the Martin County School District
Hicks is pictured with her brother, Eric, who posted on Facebook: ‘All of you plz help us raise money for my sister’s funeral and service’
She can be seen in a YouTube video discussing her favorite places to snorkel along the Florida coast
“Additional information on memorials and opportunities to support Amanda’s beautiful little girl is forthcoming.”
Hicks gave birth to her baby girl, Alani, in July and lost her mother in December 2018 after a battle with cancer.
Her brother Eric posted online asking for support for Hicks’ funeral and service.
A lifelong friend described Amanda as “passionate” for her friends and family, adding that she was “absolutely beautiful inside and out.”
Mariah Uphues posted online: ‘This world will never be the same without you… Your creativity was pure art. Everything you made has turned into gold.
“You weren’t afraid to speak your mind and even when life tried to knock you down, you still stood up and fought at the end of the day.
“Even though I don’t know what happened that day, I hold no hatred in my heart towards him and my heart goes out to his family.
Tributes have poured in for the high school teacher who served on the Dr. David L Anderson Middle School worked
Police were pictured outside the Peacock Run apartment complex on Saturday, where they found Hicks dead, along with an unnamed man. Authorities have not said how they died
Officers discovered the bodies in the Peacock Run apartment after a family member requested a welfare check on a male resident there
Hicks, a sixth grade teacher, is pictured with her mother, who died of cancer in December 2018
“I can’t even express my gratitude for Alani being found unharmed, but nothing can ever completely replace her parents by her side…you were loved by so many and will be missed for all our remaining years.”
Hicks’ boyfriend of five years, Raquel Magallon, told WBPF she was “an angel” who brought joy to all who knew her.
She just lit up the room. She had such a big, beautiful smile. She was always cheerful and always energetic.
‘She was just an angel. Every time I saw her she certainly brightened my day.”