According to authorities, an elementary school principal was murdered in South Carolina over the weekend.
Dr. Wendy Cook, 54, died on August 20, according to Dillon County Sheriff Douglas Pernell. She was the principal of Dillon County School District 4’s Stewart Heights Elementary School. She had worked with the district for nearly 25 years, District 4 Superintendent Ray Rogers told CBS.
Officers were called Saturday evening for a report of a woman discovered dead inside a vehicle, according to Pernell. Deputies came and discovered Cook dead inside the vehicle.
Kyle Church was arrested on the spot by deputies. Officials have not stated what led to his detention, but the sheriff stated that Church and Cook were “acquaintances.”
Church was charged with murder and possessing a weapon during a violent crime, according to authorities. He is currently detained at the Dillon County Detention Center.
On Monday morning, the Dillon County School District shared a memorial photo of Cook on Facebook.
Officials have not provided any additional information as of yet.
According to an online obituary, Cook is survived by a daughter, son, and grandson. Her funeral will take place on Wednesday.
A statement from State Superintendent Molly Spearman regarding the passing of Dr. Wendy Cook, Principal of Stewart Heights Elementary School in @DillonDistrict4. pic.twitter.com/FUzrjANmKE
— S.C. Department of Education (@EducationSC) August 23, 2022
