Etowah Teacher Killed In Apparent Murder-Suicide

CUMMING, GA — The Etowah High School community is mourning the loss of an educator who died earlier this week in an apparent murder-suicide in Forsyth County. The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to a call to conduct a welfare check around 3:45 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20 at a home in the 5400 block of Memphis Street in the northern part of the county.

Deputies arrived to find an adult male and woman dead inside the home. Two children who were also inside the home were unharmed, the agency said. An investigation into the incident determined the woman, identified as 32-year-old Jackielyn Belangel Brewster of Cumming, shot and killed her husband, Adrian Lavaughn Brewster, 50, sometime over the weekend. She took her own life early Monday morning, the sheriff's office said.

The two juveniles were taken to an undisclosed location, and the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit is investigating the discovery.

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Cherokee County School District spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said Brewster, who also taught at Polaris Evening School in Woodstock, joined the system in August 2016.

“We all were shocked and deeply saddened by Adrian’s death," Superintendent Dr. Brian Hightower said. "He was a veteran and an outstanding teacher and coach, who was respected by both his colleagues and students. I know our entire community joins me in sending our love to his children, family and friends.”

This isn't the first tragedy to strike the Brewster family. Nearly a year ago, the family home in Cumming was destroyed in a fire. According to a GoFundMe page created to help the family following the blaze, Brewster dedicated his free time to find "new ways to infuse his classroom with hands-on activities/labs and unique presentations."

“Adrian has been a part of the Etowah family for several years and will be missed by our staff, students and parents," said Etowah Principal Dr. Robert Horn.

No funeral service has been announced yet, but Byars Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Image via GoFundMe