Police found a mother dead in her home after officers heard a baby crying inside.
Amanda Hicks, from Florida, was found dead alongside a man in Peacock Run apartments in Port St. Lucie at 11.45am on Saturday (27 May).
Cops were called to do a welfare check on the property after the family member of a male resident had contacted them.
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After arriving at the apartment complex, the officers found the door was locked and could hear a baby crying.
A police statement explained that the officers then broke down the door and found Ms Hicks, 26, lying on the floor besides the man.
Her baby daughter was found unharmed in her crib.
Police believe that Ms Hicks, who was working as a teacher at Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School, was killed by the man, who then took his own life.
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"Officers arrived on scene and the residence was locked," Port St. Lucie police said in a statement to Facebook.
"Officers could hear a young infant inside the residence crying. Through a rear sliding door, Officers were able to visually see two adults inside on the floor, who appeared deceased.
"Port St Lucie Police Officers forced their way through the locked front door and took the unharmed, crying infant from their crib. The infant is now with a family member.
"Major Crimes Unit Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators responded.
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"It appears at this time, an adult female was killed by an adult male who then took his own life. Detectives believe the two adults were romantically involved."
No further information was released at the time.
Darcia Borel, the principal at the school where Ms Hicks worked, sent out an email confirming her passing and offering condolences to her family.
“The Port St. Lucie Police Department has confirmed that Ms. Hicks was the victim of a homicide,” it read.
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“While words will never be enough to convey the shock and sadness this news has brought to our school family, it is more important than ever to come together to support one another through our grief journey.
“Additional information about memorials and opportunities for supporting Amanda’s beautiful little girl will be forthcoming.”
Speaking to WPBF, one of Ms Hicks’ close friends, Raquel Magallon, said she was devastated by the news.
“She just lit up the room. She had such a big, beautiful smile. She was always happy and always energetic,” she said.
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“This is like really shocking and really sad … She was just an angel. She was the most happiest person. She definitely brightened my day every time I saw her and I just don’t know what happened with this situation.
"I know she’s at peace now, but I pray that she didn’t suffer because she definitely doesn’t deserve to go out like that.”
Topics: US News, Crime, Police