Raleigh teacher killed in home invasion, suspect had long arrest history

A Wake County grand jury indicted Ryan Camacho on Feb. 10 on first-degree murder and first-degree burglary charges in the killing of Ravenscroft School teacher Zoe Welsh.

Welsh called 911 after an intruder got inside her home at 819 Clay Street on Jan. 3. Raleigh officers responded at 6:33 a.m., and Welsh was later taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries after Camacho broke into the house and attacked her while she was on the phone with dispatchers.

Camacho, 36, was already known to law enforcement across Wake and Durham counties. His record spans roughly two decades and includes more than 20 arrests, with allegations that have included breaking and entering, shooting into an occupied property and a prison escape attempt in 2021. Prosecutors also sought involuntary mental-health commitment for Camacho in December 2025, but a judge ruled he was not a threat to himself or the public and he was released before Welsh was killed.

State lawmakers will examine the circumstances surrounding Welsh’s death as part of broader discussions about involuntary commitment, probation and parole. Gov. Josh Stein has emphasized prison reentry and mental-health services in public-safety conversations.

Welsh was 57 and born Jan. 23, 1968. She joined Ravenscroft in 2006, taught AP biology, marine science and forensic science, and served as science department chair for 16 years. Her teaching career stretched more than 30 years across Wake and Guilford counties, including stops at Southern Guilford High School and Leesville Road High School.

Ravenscroft made grief counselors available to students and faculty after her death, and the school later held a closed celebration of life service for Welsh.