Kimberly Carico is being remembered as a great teacher, friend and mentor to kids.
"If you were having a bad day, just running by her in the hall would make you feel better about things," principal Rob Bendel said.
While the fifth-grade teacher made others feel better about their lives, Carico's life was in turmoil. Police say an abusive relationship with her husband forced her to leave the school as part of a plan to leave town.
On Sept. 15, the day Carico resigned, Franklin County Sheriff's deputies stood in front of Royal Elementary to protect her and the children. Five days later, she was dead.
"It's been very hard on us -- abrupt and sudden," Bendel said.
Franklin County Sheriff Jerry Jones said Carico made every attempt to protect herself.
"She had asked us for help. When I say us, it was every law enforcement agency in Franklin County," he said.
A week before she was killed, Sheriff's deputies arrested Rick Carico for threatening his wife. He spent two days in jail, then the couple left their home together for West Virginia to escape the hurricane. Authorities say Carico shot his wife before turning the gun on himself.
Rick Carico's co-workers at Franklin Regional Hospital said they did not see it coming.
"He was a phenomenal manager, a team player, an integral part of our hospital and our community," hospital spokeswoman Bonnie Little said.
A memorial service for Kimberly Carico is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at Royal Elementary School.
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