The county coroner and the district have both confirmed that a principal working in Dillon County School District Four was killed in a shooting over the weekend.
According to the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office, a contact was made on Southwind Road during the night of Saturday, August 20, in the Dillon area, which is located around 60 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach. According to WMBF, Cook’s body was found at the location of the incident.
The manner of her death has also been determined to be a homicide. After her passing, a number of her loved ones and employees paid tribute to her in various ways.
Who Was Wendy Cook? a Tribute to Her Life and Career
On Monday, the school system posted an announcement on its Facebook page using Cook’s name, a picture of him, and his title. Wendy was a well-liked elementary school administrator at Stewart Heights Elementary School in South Carolina. She was famous for bringing her vivacious personality to her profession, which earned her the respect of her students and the community.
Molly Spearman, the superintendent of schools for the state, delivered a statement late on Monday night in which she expressed her “sadness” over the passing of Cook.
It has been stated by Spearman that “Her colleagues and coworkers in Dillon County School District 4 had nothing but praise for the way she led the school and the various good affects she had on the faculty and children. While everyone in the Dillon school community is grieving over this loss, please accept my deepest condolences.”
Just a few days before the shooting, Cook was getting ready for a new school year at Stewart Heights, which was scheduled to begin on August 15, 2022, with pupils reporting for their first day of courses on that day. She said in a letter to parents that was sent earlier this month as part of the back-to-school preparations, “I hope you have enjoyed a pleasant and relaxing summer.”
In addition, the funeral for Cook will be held tomorrow (Wednesday, August 24, 2022) at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the Cooper Funeral Home in Dillon.
Wendy Cook, the Principal of an Elementary School in South Carolina, Was Killed in a Shooting
Cook was allegedly murdered on the property he shared with his mother on Southwind Road, which is located around two miles south of Dillon, early on the morning of Sunday, August 21, 2022.
After being charged with murder and possessing a firearm during a violent crime, he is currently being held at the detention centre for Dillon County in South Carolina for a bond hearing before a judge in a circuit court in the state of South Carolina.
Just like anyone else who has been charged of committing a crime, the church is assumed innocent until the criminal justice system reaches a verdict that deems them guilty. His attorney for the fourth circuit in South Carolina, William B. Rogers Jr., will be the one to trial his case, which is anticipated to draw a significant amount of national attention.
Deputies with the Dillon County Sheriff’s Office say that Cook and Church were friendly with one another. The extent of their relationship hasn’t been covered, and neither has any plausible explanation for why the victim was killed.
In addition to this, there are whispers that Cook and Church had a love connection in the past. Even if the beginnings of their relationship are still the subject of rumours, the abrupt breakup of their romance has made headlines outside of this community of 6,200 people located near the North Carolina border and off of Interstate 95.
The arrest of Kyle Church is being made in connection with the death of Wendy Cook
In accordance with the statements made by Douglas Pernell, the sheriff of Dillon County, officials were dispatched to an address on Southwind Road close to Dillon at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, where Kyle Church was subsequently taken into custody. There is very little information available on him at this time other than the fact that he is 31 years old.
In connection with the fatal shooting of Cook, Kyle Church was taken into custody.
In the same vein, it is alleged that he was in possession of a weapon at the time that he committed a violent crime; nonetheless, the motivation behind the murder of Wendy is a mystery.
Nevertheless, the court’s final decision has not yet been made available to the public. Should a jury decide that he was responsible for the death of the South Carolina elementary school’s principal, he would be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Court Appearance held for Kyle Church
An initial court appearance was held for Kyle Church, age 31, on Monday afternoon. He is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in connection with the death of a woman that occurred early Sunday morning at a residence located on Southwind Road just outside of Dillon.
Andrew Bethea, the Dillon County Magistrate, arraigned Church on the charges, but he did not schedule a hearing about Church’s bond.
Andrew explained to Church that he is unable to establish a bond for murder, and that instead, a judge in the South Carolina Circuit Court will need to do it. Church responded in the affirmative and stated that he understood.
Sheriff Douglas Pernell of Dillon County stated that the woman was killed by gunfire, and that Church and the victim were acquainted with one another.
The deceased has been identified as Wendy Cook, according to Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley. According to him, the results of the autopsy proved that she died of a gunshot wound, and he concluded that she had been the victim of a homicide.
No information on the killer’s motivation has been made public.
The victim has been identified as a student of Dillon County School District 4, it has been confirmed.
On the Facebook page for the district is a message that reads:
“honouring the life and work of Dr. Wendy Cook Elementary school principal of Stewart Heights.”
Ray Rogers, the superintendent of Dillon School District 4, stated that they had additional counsellors and administrators at the school on Monday to ensure the safety and comfort of the students, teachers, and other members of the staff.
“Today I arrived at school by walking. You are acutely aware of her presence, to tell the truth. And this here is a structure. The children entered the house as quietly as they possibly could. And not being fully aware of anything that was taking place. However, they were focused on the work she and the other teachers had given them, and there was silence in the hallways. In any case, they were well-organized, and they were priceless, “added Rogers.
He stated that Cook had been employed by the district for close to 25 years and that he had everyone’s affection.
“Just in a state of shock. You should not believe that. Having an awareness of how dynamic she was as an administrator. And a lively individual. How much she adores her children How she collaborated with the Stewart Heights community, particularly the families and the educators. Simply put, it was unfathomable. Please pray for us. Because we already had a lot on our plate. There are a variety of choices to be taken, and you should pray for the welfare of the family. Because they are in a state of panic. And they require all of the assistance and prayers that can be offered, “added Rogers.
The following is a statement that was issued by the State Superintendent Molly Spearman:
“The news of the demise of Dr. Wendy Cook, principal of Stewart Heights Elementary School, has left me in a state of deep sadness. Her coworkers and friends at Dillon County School District 4 frequently speak highly of the outstanding job she accomplished as principal of her school and the numerous positive effects she had on both the teaching staff and the pupils. As a member of the Dillon school community, please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Church’s initial appearance hearing was attended by relatives of Cook’s family, who appeared to be overcome with emotion.”
The defendant, Kyle Church, is shown in court.
A member of the family would frequently dab away tears from her eyes.
According to the public court documents available online, Church is expected to appear in court again on October 5.
The Dillon County Detention Center has been transformed into a church for the day.