‘Is this about the lady’s head I bashed in?’ New details emerge about suspect in N.C. science teacher’s killing
04/16/2026 8:00 pm PDT
RALEIGH, N.C. (TCN) -- Recently released search warrant results reveal more details about the fatal attack on a woman in her home in January.
On Jan. 3, science teacher Zoe Welsh, 57, was attacked by a home intruder while on the phone with 911. After searching the area, police found and apprehended suspect Ryan Camacho, 36. He was charged with murder and felony burglary and was indicted by a grand jury on Feb. 10, according to WTVD.
According to warrants obtained by multiple outlets including WRAL, Welsh reportedly recognized Camacho from seeing him at a nearby park and could be heard screaming at him while on the phone with dispatchers. That same day, Camacho was allegedly found inside another home with evidence of a break-in; he allegedly told authorities he had previously lived there but had been evicted.
Police took Camacho into custody, and Spectrum Local News reports he allegedly asked interviewers, “Is this about the lady’s head I bashed in with a rock? The lady I killed!” According to the warrants, a rock like the one he described was reportedly found inside Camacho’s bloody jacket, WTVG reports.
According to court records obtained by WTVD, Camacho has a criminal history spanning two dozen arrests. Spectrum Local News reports Camacho had spent four months in custody in 2025 for various misdemeanors. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teen and experiences auditory hallucinations, according to court documents.
A forensic evaluation to stand trial, requested by a judge, found Camacho did not meet the standard to proceed; the case was dismissed and Welsh was killed a few weeks later.
WTVG reports it has not yet been determined whether Camacho is competent to stand trial for Welsh’s murder, and he remains behind bars without bond. According to Law & Crime, Camacho is scheduled to appear in court again on April 30.
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