A 26-year-old teacher in Port St. Lucie, Florida, was found dead Saturday in a suspected murder-suicide, with police alerted to the scene by the crying of her 10-month-old daughter.
Amanda Hicks’ death was confirmed by the principal of Anderson Middle School, where she taught sixth-grade.
Hicks was discovered inside the Peacock Run apartment complex, lying next to an unnamed man with whom she was believed to be having a relationship. He is thought to have killed her, then taken his own life, police said.
Tributes from her friends and family have poured in for the teacher since her death.
Her brother Eric, who also lives in Port St. Lucie, posted on social media after her death.
‘Y’all plz help us raise money for my sisters funeral and service and everything,’ he wrote.
Amanda Hicks, 26, was found dead Saturday morning at the apartment complex in Port St. Lucie which she had moved in to three weeks ago
Police were called to the Peacock Run apartment complex on Saturday and her Hicks’ daughter crying, when they saw two bodies
Police are pictured on Saturday outside the Peacock Run apartment complex where they found Hicks dead along with an unnamed man. Authorities have not said how they died
Their mother died in December 2018 after battling cancer.
Hicks had given birth to Alani in July, and the two had moved into the apartment three weeks ago, neighbors told CBS 12 News.
‘They seemed very normal, very normal,’ said an unnamed neighbor.
‘We didn’t even get time to even get to know them because everything happened so fast.
‘My hearts out for the family, though. Hopefully, they find peace in all of this.’
The man who died in the incident has not had his name released by authorities. His family called police at 11:45am requesting a welfare check.
Officers heard Alani crying and then saw two bodies on the floor.
Baby Alani was born in July 2022. She was found alive after police entered the apartment
Hicks is seen in a YouTube video discussing her favorite places to snorkel along the Florida coast
Police have not said how the two people died. The deaths happened a day after Anderson Middle School had finished for summer.
Darcia Borel, the principal, sent an email confirming Hicks’ murder and offering counseling to all staff members who wanted it.
‘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 one another through our grief journey,’ wrote Borel.
‘Additional information about memorials and opportunities for supporting Amanda’s beautiful little girl will be forthcoming.
‘Please remember to hug your loved ones a little tighter and keep Amanda’s family in your thoughts and hearts.’
Hicks, a sixth-grade teacher, is pictured with her mother, who died from cancer in December 2018
Hicks is pictured with her brother, Eric, who posted on Facebook ‘Y’all plz help us raise money for my sisters funeral and service and everything’
Hicks’ friend of five years, Raquel Magallon, told WBPF that she was ‘an angel’ who brought joy to all those who knew her.
‘She just lit up the room,’ she said.
‘She had such a big, beautiful smile. She was always happy and always energetic.
‘She was just an angel.
‘She definitely brightened my day every time I saw her.’
Her childhood friend Maria Uphues wrote on Facebook: ‘Even though the plan was to grow old and reminiscence about all the highs and lows we’ve experienced, I am so grateful to have had you in my life for these past 19 years.
‘You were absolutely gorgeous inside and out and this world will never be the same without you… Your creativity was pure art.’
Uphues said she was grateful that Alani was found unharmed.
‘Even though I don’t know what happened that day, I don’t hold any hate in my heart towards him and my heart goes out to his family,’ she wrote.
‘I can’t even express my gratefulness for Alani being found unharmed but nothing can ever fully replace having her parents by her side… you were loved by so many and will be missed for all of our remaining years…
‘I love you girl and look forward to embracing you again one day.’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk